Bilko vows to bounce back after injury ends X Games campaign
Australian freestyle motocross rider Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams is disappointed to announce his withdrawal from X Games 16 with a shoulder injury ending his chances of back-to-back Gold medals.
The 25-year-old made history in 2009 when he became the first rider outside of the United States to claim a gold medal in the highly-competitive moto category.
Williams underwent an intense rehabilitation program after breaking his collarbone during the Russian X-Fighters event at the end of June.
Full range of motion returned just a few weeks after he had a plate and nine screws inserted into his collarbone and after getting the all-clear from his doctor, Bilko set his sights on preparation for this week’s event in downtown Los Angeles.
A seemingly-small mishap during X Games warm up rendered months of perseverance as futile. Initial x-rays and an MRI suggested a torn labrem and complications involving a shoulder reconstruction from 2006 which had been aggravated in the crash in Russia.
Williams said the prospect of watching the event from the sidelines was devastating and promised to make amends at the event in 2011.
“I’m really disappointed to not be able to defend the gold medal,” said Williams. “In a way, I was lucky to finish off my shoulder on the track. If I had hit a ramp it was only a matter of time before the strain of tricks made it gave way and I could well have been hanging off my bike at the time which would have ended in severe injuries.
“I’d like to thank everyone that has helped me out over the last four weeks, from getting home from Russia and then getting ready for X Games.
“Without the help of my dad, my fellow riders in Moscow, my sports physio Doctor G, Kibby and my mechanic Luke Fracaro, X would have been completely out of the picture. Unfortunately this time my own injury let me down.
“I have to make the most of the situation so I’ll be hanging out at X Games with a bunch of interviews, autograph and meet and greet sessions, and appearing on the All Access FMX show for ESPN to keep me busy.
“I’d like to thank my dedicated sponsors – Monster Energy, DVS, Fox and Oakley – for their continued support and understanding during this time.
“By riding I’d be at serious risk of injury for little reward given my time off the bike in the lead up. I’ll be back next year to claim what I believe is mine – another X Games Gold!”
