DORSET motorcycling star Brad Jones was officially back on track after making an emotional return to riding this weekend.
Jones, 24, was airlifted to hospital after a high-speed crash at Brands Hatch last season in the British Superbike (BSB) championship.
The Stalbridge man was placed in an induced coma with a bleed on the brain, fractured pelvis, punctured lungs and broken ribs among other injuries.
However, Jones has made a sensational recovery and last week revealed to Echosport he was nearing a clean bill of health.
EXCLUSIVE: Brad Jones gives update on progress one year on from horror crash
Exactly one year on and at the same circuit as his accident, Jones was invited back by BSB to complete a ‘lap to the track’ on board a BMW machine.
His presence on the tarmac was cheered rapturously by the thousands of fans lining the perimeter of the track.
NEWS: @12BradJones makes emotional return to @Brands_Hatch to complete on track lap
— Bennetts British Superbike Championship (@OfficialBSB) July 25, 2022
"To be back at Brands Hatch a year on to the day was amazing, but to do a lap was the icing on the cake"
📰 Get the full story - https://t.co/Z7Or2vfPxy#BrandsBSB pic.twitter.com/OokUtuZQAL
Speaking to BSB’s media team, Jones said: “To be back at Brands Hatch a year on to the day was amazing, but to do a lap was the icing on the cake.
“If you had told me that would happen whilst I was laid in the hospital, I would have thought that it was the medication I was on doing the talking!
“It was a surreal feeling to chat to Larry (Carter, journalist) on the grid and waiting in kit felt just like old times.
“The support has been overwhelming all the way the through and that was backed up again.
“All I have left to say is thank you to each and every person who has supported me, those close to me for keeping me motivated to keep pushing all the way through my rehab and to BSB for making the lap happen.”
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