If you are full of admiration for Ian Hutchinson and the way he has fought back from the horrendous leg injuries to win the Macau GP, you should read this tribute, courtesy of Bike Tyre Store:
“I would like to say (and I’m sure I mirror the comments of the world’s biking public) an enormous WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS to Ian Hutchinson on winning this year’s MACAU GP.
Not only did Ian produce a fantastic performance, out pacing “Mr Macau” himself, Michael Rutter, but he also showed the world that he has not lost any of the hunger and desire to win again. Any person, no matter how brave or determined, would be forgiven for not wanting to face the consequences of road racing, the world’s most demanding of Tarmac disciplines, after suffering the terrible injuries endured by Ian.
Twenty-nine operations, plus being told many times by doctors that they needed his consent to amputate his leg, is enough to put even the hardest of men off ever slinging a leg over a motorbike again.
And coming back from a year long break (sorry Ian, bad pun I know) where he had to rest his badly broken limb, is equally impressive, as it is incredibly difficult to return the mind and body to the frantic pace of top level racing. Sport (of any type) is also incredibly fickle, which often results in those unfortunate enough to have to take time off due to injury, finding themselves knocking on doors in a desperate attempt to remind the world that they still exist.
I met Ian while working at the 2010 TT (that most memorable year, where he did the impossible, winning five out of five, something we may not see again for many years, if at all); before his phenomenal achievements, and after, and he came across as a perfect gentleman, always having time for spectators and industry people, despite the obvious distractions of racing at the world’s most demanding courses, but also coping amazingly well as the wins kept coming and the pressure to achieve the ‘unachievable’ crept ever closer.
I had also treated my father (who was recovering from cancer) and my young son, by flying them over to the Isle of Man that year for a couple of days to join me. While I worked they explored the busy paddock at the side of Glencrutchery Road and came back grinning from ear to ear, having met many of their heros and seen the great sights of the TT pit lane.
However, one of the best memory’s they both returned with, was when they had seen Hutchy, walking with his team manager Clive Padgett (another true gentleman) through the chaos that is a bike racing paddock.
My son had asked my father if he thought they could get Ian to sign a paddock cap they had. As he was still recovering from the dreaded “C”, Dad wasn’t keen to push forward through the crowd to find out. So, when they drew close enough to at least try and get Ian’s attention, it came as a real surprise that Hutchy not only noticed their obvious hope to be seen, but made a bee line towards them, smiling, as is his way, signed the cap, shook their hands, had a brief chat (as did Clive), before apologising that he ‘must get on’ and disappearing into the maddening crowd.
They went on to witness this gentleman from Yorkshire go on to do the unimaginable in the Senior that week and still talk about it today, with great admiration. I can’t think of another couple of great blokes who are always smiling and have time for their fans, whilst both having the heart of a lion inside and the grittiest on track characters that fear no-one in a battle…..
Valentino Rossi (at his peak) and the recently crowned Marc Marquez. Yes, I genuinely would put Hutchy in the same sentence as these two greats. He has come back from his worst ebb and done himself proud.
It’s also worth noting, at this stage, that Shaun Muir and his team have shown honourable patience throughout the last couple of years, with their support and encouragement towards Ian, worthy of significant accolade itself.
Where many teams and manufacturers would have written the young Hutchinson off, assuming he could never manage to walk again, let alone race bikes at the highest level, Shaun and his gang remained patient and understanding throughout. And in this day and age, where you are very much ‘only as good as your last goal’ it’s been a refreshing change to see people support genuine stars and help them return to the top to re-visit what they unfortunately had to leave behind due to injury.
Gentlemen….I salute you all.”
Written by Psychic Mike
www.redcat.co.uk/BTS/newsletter.aspx?OBJ_ID=5532661