Edwards: I was engulfed in flames.
World Superbike Champion Colin Edwards suffered 📖the biggest scare of his MotoGP - and perhaps motorcycling career - today at the Sachsenring, his RS Cube exploding in flames at over 120mph after the fuel cap fell off.
The American was lucky to escape serious injury as both he and💝 his Aprilia were sprayed with fuel, which then ignited, forcing him to bail off the burning machine.
Hi♏s three-cylinder then torched itself in a German gravel trap, while Edwards was ♚left with burns to his right arm and thigh.
World Superbike Champio🃏n Colin Edwards suffered the biggest scare of his MotoGP - and perhaps motorcycling career - today at the Sachsenring, his RS 𒁃Cube exploding in flames at over 120mph after the fuel cap fell off.
The American was lucky to esꦅcape serious injury as both he and his Aprilia were sprayed with fuel, which then ignited,ౠ forcing him to bail off the burning machine.
His three-cylinder then torched itself in a German gravel๊ trap, while Edwards was left with burns to his right arm and thigh.
"Today I discovered it's bad to be on the wrong side of a barbecue," said the Texan with a wry smile. "I was riding with the new chassis and saw some drops of liquid on my visor: I immediately thought it was ♑rain, then maybe water from a bike in front of me. But then I felt something cold on my neck and a few seconds later burning heat... Fire! I was completely engulfed by the flames and decided to jump off quickly. I t was really scary - I hope that's the only accident I'll have l🧔ike that."
Alice Aprilia project leader Gigi Dall'Igna gave more details as to what happened and admitted the events h🅘ad shaken up their star rider - although he still qualifi🧸ed two places ahead of team-mate Haga, in sixteenth, in the afternoon first qualifying session.
"After braking the fuel went forward out of the fuel tank and onto the exhaust pipes starting the fire," said the Italian. "Colin was very prompt 💞in jumping off and luckily didn't suffer serious damages. Edwards is human and was a bit afraid in the afternoon session but𒀰 that's normal (after such an incident)."
Haga also wrote off one of the team's new chassis when he fell in the same session, leaving them on the old bikes for first qualifying and giving😼 the team plenty to do before tomorrow's second sess📖ion.
"Unfortunately that crash and Haga's one in the morning session destroyed the bikes with the new chassis," said Dall'Igna. "Anyway bo♈th riders lost⛄ a session and we are now rebuilding the bikes with the new chassis in order to be ready for tomorrow."
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of t൲he Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
