ONK Sidecars Valkenswaard: A day in a minor key
The second round of the ONK Sidecar Masters in Valkenswaard was scheduled for today. The first ONK Sidecar heat was supposed to start at 14.15:16.15 PM, but a serious incident occurred with national sidecar driver Patrick van der Veken, which caused the program to be halted for a long time to allow time for medical assistance. At 1 pm the ONK Sidecar Masters heat XNUMX was started, but it only lasted two official laps due to a red flag after a heavy starting crash by Daniël Willemsen/Robbie Bax. The heat was not restarted, which meant that no points were awarded for the ONK Sidecar Masters championship in Valkenswaard.
During the national sidecar class, rider Patrick van der Veken from Belgium suffered cardiac arrest at the end of the heat. At that moment Van der Veken had just dismounted because the chain had come off his machine. When his truck driver made it clear to the medical staff present that Van der Veken had become unwell, first aid was immediately started, later assisted by an ambulance and a trauma team from Nijmegen that was sent in by helicopter. Van der Veken was rushed to hospital. According to the latest reports, via our colleagues at smxpics.be where you can read a full statement about Patrick van der Veken's condition, Patrick van der Veken is in a coma, but he is breathing independently and the heart rhythm is under control and people are on alert. this moment is slightly positive about his recovery.
The entire MXmag team wishes Van der Veken a good recovery!
The moment Van der Veken was taken to hospital, the KNMV issued a statement on the spot. The situation regarding Van der Veken was 'uncertain' at that time, and it had been decided to start one round of ONK Quad Masters at 15.15 p.m., followed an hour later by one round of ONK Sidecar Masters, after which the competitions would be ended.
At 16.15 pm the only ONK Sidecar Masters heat of the day started.
Things immediately went wrong after the fence fell, with Willemsen/Bax suddenly crossing the starting field at an angle, meeting Van Werven's team on the inside and then landing half-flying upside down in the earth bank on the inside. Medical staff was immediately on site and after two rounds it was decided to end the ONK Sidecar Masters heat with a red card. Daniël Willemsen was taken to the mobile medical post with, among other things, a very painful wrist. It is now clear that Willemsen did not suffer any fractures in his crash in Valkenswaard. After the red flag, the race leader asked all ONK Sidecar participants together and almost unanimously the ONK Sidecar Teams decided not to start again.
Text: Emil Bilars
Photo: www.orangehat.nl
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