King’s Lynn’s skipper counts his blessings after horror smash

King’s Lynn skipper Nicolai Klindt admits he’s counting his blessings after the horror crash which ended his season.

Klindt was brought down in a freak accident in Poland last Sunday when racing for Gdansk at Ostrow, when opposing rider Oliver Berntzon lifted into the fence and then slewed back across on to the circuit.

Berntzon was then powerless to avoid wiping out both his team-mate Francis Gusts and Klindt, with the Dane coming off the worst in the three-man accident.

But remarkably as he plans for up to ten weeks in a neck brace, Klindt is happy to reflect on the positive that it could have been a whole lot worse.

He said: “I think someone from above held his hand over me, which I’m grateful for.

“I have been here before, and I will come back stronger!

“I’ve broken the C3 vertebra in my neck in two places, but the breaks are not complicated.

“There is no operation, but eight to ten weeks with the neck brace.

“I’ve also had a very bad concussion, so that needs rest and time too.

“I’ve had a lot of people message me and thanks a lot for all your concerns and thoughts.”

Stars manager David Hoggart has spoken in glowing terms of Klindt, who has proved to be a leader both on and off the track in the toughest of seasons for the club.

He said: “There’s no doubt that everything we’ve done since I’ve arrived at the club has revolved around Nicolai. His support of the team, the other riders and of me has been exceptional.

“On a personal note, I’m really sad that he’s in this situation. It’s racing I know, but he doesn’t deserve it, and particularly with it being an incident not of his making.

“My thoughts are very much with him and his family. Everybody who knows Nicolai knows he’s a family man, and they will be concerned for his welfare too, so we wish them all well.”

With Klindt and Thomas Jorgensen on the long-term sidelines, the club received permission to postpone last night’s home match against Ipswich due to a lack of available riders.

They had intended to sign Ben Barker as a replacement for Jorgensen, but he too finds himself ruled out after breaking his collarbone in a crash on Tuesday night.

The Ipswich match has been re-arranged for September 4, and the Stars travel to Belle Vue next Monday with the possibility of another new signing being made before that date.