Bel Ray Husqvarna Extreme Enduro Team rider Alfredo Gomez will be sidelined from competition for up to six weeks following a recent appendectomy operation.
Falling ill on his return from the fourth round of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Mexico, Alfredo underwent the operation to remove his appendix in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday January 28.
Seeking medical attention upon his return to Europe, doctors became immediately concerned about his health and quickly scheduled the procedure to remove his appendix. With everything going to plan, Gomez’ surgeon was pleased with the outcome of the operation but has advised him to allow six weeks for a full recovery.
It’s now extremely likely that the Husqvarna rider will miss the final two rounds of the SuperEnduro World Championship – where he lies fourth overall in the standings – plus the opening Hard Enduro of the season at Hell’s Gate in Italy.
Husqvarna Motorcycles wishes Alfredo a speedy recovery.
Alfredo Gomez: “I’m extremely disappointed to be ill at this point in the season. When I returned home from the SuperEnduro in Mexico I felt sick and went to the hospital on Tuesday morning. The doctors ran some tests and were immediately concerned about my appendix and decided to remove it straight away. At midway I underwent the operation – it happened that fast. Overall, the surgeon was pleased with the procedure but due to the number of stitches – 11 internal and 15 external – he has advised me to allow at least five to six weeks of recovery, to avoid any further chance of infection. Of course with two rounds of the SuperEnduro World Championship and the Hell’s Gate Hard Enduro in February this couldn’t have come at a worse time. I felt more prepared for those races than I have ever been but to race events that physically demanding while not being 100 per cent healthy is too risky. If my recovery goes better than expected then the final round of the SuperEnduro in France is a possibility, but we will make that decision closer to the time.”