Kruger bounces back in China

By John Hopkins

Canadian road racer Dan Kruger survived a rough start to the 2011 Pan Delta series at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China last weekend, rebounding from a crash in the opening race of the doubleheader on Saturday to finish third in the second race on Sunday.

After qualifying second the Team BG Motorsport / Titanic Kawasaki Hong Kong rider, making his debut in the premier class on a ZX-10R, fell in turn four on the opening lap of Saturday's race, which was held in very wet conditions.

"Although it was a simple low side, it was in the rain so the bike spun around 180 degrees and I actually made contact with my helmet immediately and then somehow flew over the bike and made much harder impact with my helmet on the asphalt and then the bike hit me as well," Kruger said in an email.

Kruger suffered a badly broken baby finger, a broken bone in his wrist and a broken thumb in the fall and his status for Sunday's race was questionable. The Kawasaki was badly damaged but the BG Motorsport mechanics worked through the night with a back up bike to get things race ready for Sunday.

Kruger elected to take part in the second race with his hand heavily taped, although he was relegated to the back row of Sunday's race grid due to his fall. The Montrealer worked his way up to second before his shifter fell off and he was stuck in fourth gear, but he managed to hang on for a third place finish.

"Looking back on the weekend, I guess I came out of it OK," Kruger added. "Kawasaki and BG are happy and for all the incidents that took place this weekend with me, I am happy to fly out tomorrow with a podium."

Kruger's season continues at the Chendu Circuit at the end of April.