Luc Alphand operated on vertebrae

As we previously announced, Luc Alphand suffered a serious back injury following a bad landing during a motorcycle jump. Passionate about sport, he took part this weekend in the Enduro Rand-Auvergne, in the Ambert region, south-east of Clermont-Ferrand. While trying to overtake a competitor, the rider landed badly, going over the handlebars and falling on his head. Those close to him specified that after his jump, he remained conscious but complained of pain and tingling.

The one who participates in 24 Hours of Le Mans and at the Dakar (victory in 2006) was transported to Ambert hospital, undergoing x-rays which revealed nothing. The MRI subsequently taken at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital revealed that the pilot had multiple lesions in the neck vertebrae (C7-T1). At the age of 43, Luc Alphand then underwent surgery to benefit from a bone graft, during a 4-hour operation, during which two metal plates were placed on him, after a microscopic examination. Luc Alphand is out of danger neurologically and, according to those around him, maintains his morale intact despite this serious injury. His team also specified that his physical form had certainly prevented him from further damage. The medical staff at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital are confident, waiting for the pilot to wake up to make a definitive decision.