South Africa's Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) is recovering in hospital after a crash at the weekend saw him break his collarbone.

South Africa's Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) is recovering in hospital after a crash at the weekend saw him break his collarbone. 

The multiple World Cup Champion was competing in a regional Hare Scramble enduro event, about 45 minutes from his home town of Pietermaritzburg, as part of his preparation for the Roof Of Africa Enduro scheduled for later this month. 

Greg started the event in 70th place and had moved up to 4th by the end of the 3rd lap. On time, and given his handicap of passing people from 70th, he was actually 2nd fastest and was set to start the last of 4 laps in the 3 hour event, when he rounded a right hand corner and hit a concealed rock that threw him over the bars and immediately onto his right shoulder, breaking his collarbone. 

Greg spoke today from hospital: "I knew it was broken straight away, as soon as I landed. I was about 20km from the main start finish area when it happened and I struggled to ride further round the lap until I came to a marshal point. I left the bike there and got a lift to the hospital. I didn't feel too bad and actually walked into the hospital. 

The collarbone break is on the right side, and fortunately his left shoulder which had reconstructive surgery at the end of 2007 was not affected by the crash. 

"It's so weird, I was able to walk into the hospital and I have no recollection of hitting my leg in the fall. Strangely, it's exactly the same place where I had deep bruising following my crash at Mont-Sainte-Anne this year, so there may be some connection. 

The doctors are very happy with Greg's muscles in his thigh and they're keeping him in observation for at least another 24 hours. Needless to say any plans to repeat his efforts at the Roof Of Africa Enduro have been set aside. Once Greg is released from hospital he expects to be on crutches for abit before getting back onto a bike.

"I look forward to healing quickly as I was not just training for the Roof of Africa but also competing in the Duzi Canoe marathon & Sani2C early next year, Im not to bothered with the rest time now as it is my rest period anyway and doesnt really effect my training and plans for other events"