It is old news that Monster Energy Yamaha factory rider Jago Geerts crashed twice in Argentina and picked up a shoulder and elbow injury. The likeable Belgian rider has since had an operation on his elbow and will head to the hospital in Belgium tomorrow to find out if he can start doing some training, to prepare for his return to racing.

While the shoulder injury isn’t too much of a problem, his elbow has some complications, and that healing process is going to take a lot longer. With two or three months out of the series, Geerts would love to come back for his home Grand Prix in Lommel. 

It is easy for forget about riders when they are injuried, but to hear the voice of Geerts and the difficulties he must be having from not being able to race is really something that reminds us how much these guys love the sport. We caught up with him this afternoon and he gave us an update on how he is doing.

Alpinestars support MXlarge and Monster Energy Yamaha: Alpinestars

MXlarge: We obviously saw the crash, but can you explain what happened and how you picked up the injuries?

Geerts: In the qualification race, I didn’t have the best start, but it was okay. In the first corner, Fernandez hit somebody I think and then he went down the side of the track and I hit him, and I crashed there. I felt something, but it wasn’t that painful, so I continued. Two laps later, I crashed again, but I don’t remember that. I think I broke my collarbone in the start and after that I don’t actually remember anything from the riding. In the second crash I broke my elbow, but I don’t know what happened.

MXlarge: Obviously nobody wants to get injured, because you will be out, but do you know how long it will take before you return to riding and then racing?

Geerts: The doctor said it will take two to three months for the elbow and the collarbone is rather fast, but the elbow injury will take two to three months. Of course, I hope to be back as soon as possible, but I will let it heal properly and I won’t come back before it is 100% good.

MXlarge: Did you have to have an operation and how is the healing going?

Geerts: Yes, I had an operation, because the elbow was also dislocated and they put it back in in Argentina, but some things were in the wrong place, the I had to get some screws in to get it back in the correct place. Tomorrow, I go to get a check-up and normally after that, I can start doing some exercises and get some mobility back in my elbow.

MXLarge: So, two or three months takes you out until like August. Do you stay in Monaco now or are you back in Belgium and I know you are a racer, and you want to race, but can you also enjoy life a little, because that is also important while you have this injury?

Geerts: I stay mainly in Monaco, but I do go back to Belgium to go to the hospital and then I go back to Monaco. Well, it is different now for sure and I start to do some physical things and I am going to the physio every day now, but for sure, I try and enjoy life a bit different now, but I am waiting to get back on the bike, because I already miss it a lot. I can go for a coffee or walk around the city, go to eat and now we have more time to do that than just training and it is different, but I try and enjoy that now. Now just a lot of work on my injuries to get them healed as fast as possible.

MXLarge: We all talk about Argentina and what a beautiful place it is and the track is really nice, but it is a fast track and I wouldn’t say it is dangerous, but it seems a track that can really cause problems for riders, even more so as the opening round when riders are not 100% yet. We saw a bunch of injuries this year. What is your opinion of the track?

Geerts: I think it is a nice track, just the speed is high and if you make a mistake at high speed, it is possible you get an injury. I wouldn’t say it is dangerous, but if you make a mistake, it can end badly for sure.

MXlarge: Did you watch Spain, or is that too difficult?

Geerts: Yes, I watched Spain, so in the end I am watching the races now, but I just want to come back on the bike, so it isn’t too easy to watch.

MXlarge: Jorge is on another level at the moment, and I guess because he hardly had an off-season, he might be closer to 100% than the other riders, but how do you see it now watching it?

Geerts: The level is high and it’s a strong class and Prado was strong in Spain, but I think maybe Febvre, Gajser and Herlings are not yet 100%, so maybe in time it will be very exciting.

MXLarge: I can assume its hard to pick a race to come back to, as you don’t know how your injuries will heal, but do you have a goal, a race you would like to come back to?

Geerts: Yes, I do. I want to come back for Lommel, as it is now, Lommel should be possible and then we will see in a few weeks how the injury is healing, if it is longer, or shorter, but for now I am looking at coming back for Lommel.

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