Michael Brown
When any professional athlete suffers a career-threatening injury it is difficult for the person concerned, not just with the injury but the psychological side of it. In April 2015 Michael Brown was on a roll, having prepared well for the season and taken a win at the British Trials Championship before the long-haul flight to Japan for the opening round of the WTC. The plan was to get some good points early on in the championship before returning home for the Scottish Six Days Trial. He was the hot favourite to take his first win at this event, having previously finished second on more than one occasion. On day one in Japan he took a strong eleventh-place finish, but on day two, having moved into the top ten on the opening lap, he suffered a horrendous crash at the end of lap two. On the final big rock-step hazard he crashed, resulting in a broken Patella — in more common terms he had broken his knee cap in four places — and his season was over.
On day one you had ridden the step on section twelve okay over the three laps?
Yes, I had felt good in Japan on day one and was only a handful of marks off the top six. I had Jack Challoner minding for me and we worked well straight away. I had loaned a machine from ‘Tomo’, the Japanese Gas Gas importer, and fitted some of my own personal parts to it and I was happy. Section twelve is very big, believe me, but I felt very confident riding it on the first day.
It had rained over night before the start of day two, but the sections had dried out by the time you started
I felt really good for day two, which was reflected in my first-lap score putting me in equal sixth position with Adam Raga. The second lap was once again okay and I attempted the step on section twelve the same as before, but the front wheel dropped just near the top and it pushed me away from the step and the safety of my minder Jack, leaving me in mid-air, from which I crashed back down. As I fell the machine pushed me round and left me landing heavily on my right knee. The pain at first was not so bad but I knew something was broken. The Japanese first aid crew was straight on to me, and before I knew it I was in a helicopter off to the hospital.
You were flying home the following morning
Correct, that was the plan. The hospital strapped the damaged leg and knee heavily and my travel agent Alan Skirvin got me booked into first class as I could not bend the leg. I had some strong pain killers to make it more comfortable on the flight. At first they would not let me fly but after some gentle persuasion from my friends who were travelling with me they let me fly. The Japanese Gas Gas importer Tomonori Kasuno was brilliant in helping with everything, for which I am very appreciative.
John Shirt Jnr then met you at Manchester Airport on your return?
Yeah, Shirty collected me on the Monday night and I saw a knee surgeon, Rob Gilbert, on the Tuesday afternoon in Manchester. This was arranged with Darren Roberts through Harris and Ross. I was operated on twice in the trauma unit at Salford Royal Hospital; first on the Wednesday to clean the knee out and again on the Friday to wire the knee cap back in place. I then returned home on the same day as the weigh-in day at the SSDT…gutted! I must thank all concerned for getting me back to the UK and sorted with the operation procedures though, and also my partner Sammy Joe for putting up with me…
And so the long recovery period started
It was a case of just resting the knee until it was in a condition where I could start to have physio to get it moving again. Jayne Peace, the mother of Gas Gas team riders Dan and Jack, helped to show me how to exercise the knee without creating any more damage. I was on crutches for a while before the leg was strong enough to start walking on it unaided.
The news that Gas Gas was closing must have been hard to take
This was a very sad day and my heart went out to the good people at Gas Gas and of course the Shirt family, my mechanic Kev and all at Gas Gas UK. For me this was a very dark period as I had no idea what was going to happen to me as a professional rider. John Shirt Snr and Jnr have been 100% behind me all the time but as their number one rider I was out of action, making a bad situation worse. I was sat at home with a bust knee and possibly no future with Gas Gas but I’m so happy and thankful that Shirty has stuck by me. I will try and repay him with my efforts next year!
When did you get back on a motorcycle?
Around September time, but the knee felt quite good if I am honest. The biggest problem is the movement in the joint as it would still not bend as I wanted it to.
It was good to see you on the ‘Gasser’ at the Scott supporting the other team riders
What a strange day this was — me spectating at the Scott. I actually had an excellent day out with Shirty and it was so good to see the event from a totally different perspective. It also makes you appreciate how special it is to win this event. Ian Austermuhle was a very popular and worthy winner but as ‘Arnie’ would say “I’ll be back”!
You returned to winning at the Jersey Two Day Trial!
The event was ideal for my return as it was away from the eyes of the press — or so I thought, as Trial Magazine turned up! The knee was obviously stiff but the two days of action gave me a win, and it was also good to for once be able to give ‘Shirty’ some good news!
Good news got better when it was announced that Gas Gas in Spain had a new owner
It was good news for me, good news for the sport and of course Shirty and Gas Gas UK. Shirty has remained very positive through this tough period and he’s continued to support the rest of the JST Gas Gas UK Team at the BTC, SSDT and the Scott. My team-mate Mule (Haslam) has had a great BTC season and another good week in Scotland and Wiggy nearly won the Scott, which was great to go and support. Not long after the great news of the new ‘Gasser’ owners being announced there was more bad news with the S3 factory burning to the ground in Spain. This was bad news again because the S3 brand is now very popular and the boss Michel Kaufman is a really nice guy. Knowing Michel it wont take him long to be back to business as usual. 2016 needs to be a comeback year for a few people…
Gas Gas has announced its official team for 2016, and you are included
I cannot thank the Shirt family enough for this. John Jnr has been in constant touch with the factory through this transitional period of the takeover, and the fact they are back and have a team is a credit to the company and its people. He kept telling me to wait, which I did, and the reward is a return to the WTC; to say I am delighted is an understatement.
What will your 2016 season consist of?
I will take in another full season of all the events including the World and British championships. When I say I want to win the ‘Scottish’ it hurts, I want it so bad, and yes, last year I genuinely believed it was my turn for the victory so in 2016 I want to be ‘peaking’ for the SSDT. In my list of trials I will also ride in the Scott and other selected events.
Can Michael Brown win again?
Yes! I certainly believe I can as I would not want to be wasting anyone’s time. Many people have worked very hard to get me back on a trials motorcycle and I would like to thank them all for standing by me — thank you.