Update from Steve Holcombe on the road to recovery following successful ACL knee surgery – the nine-time world champion is out for six months but his classic Honda CR collection will get some quality time.

Steve Holcombe has started the long road to recovery following successful surgery to repair the torn ACL he sustained at the opening round of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship.

Forced to withdraw from the second day of competition in Portugal just over two weeks ago, Steve returned home to Italy before travelling to Turin to consult with renowned orthopedic and trauma surgeon Dr. Francesco Caranzano. There, they fully assessed the injury to his left knee and determined a treatment plan.

On Tuesday, 15 April, Dr. Francesco Caranzano successfully operated on Steve, reconstructing the injured ACL and using part of his hamstring. It was a complex process, as Steve explains: “The operation last week went very well, Dr Francesco Caranzano was happy with what he found inside my knee and with the work he was able to carry out. 

“My ACL was reconstructed using a piece from my hamstring, both meniscuses were tightened and an extra ligament called an extra-articular lateral tenodesis (LET) was added to support the knee even further. 

“The expected recovery time is beyond six months, that’s until Dr Francesco is confident the ACL will have properly healed.”

As for the long term plan and recovery, Steve says he’s realistic but positive: “This is the first time in my career that I’ve had an injury of this magnitude, which has forced me out of an entire season. But I’m keeping positive. 

“There’s a lot of work to do in getting myself back to full fitness and getting the full strength and mobility back into my knee, but I’m looking ahead, working towards my next race, my next training session, and the next season. 

“I’m going to enjoy the time now where I can focus on the details of my rehab and make sure I come back better than I left. Also, as soon as I’m mobile, I’ll have some time to start work on my collection of old Hondas, which need some restoration. The first on my to-do list is a 2003 CR250, followed by a 1995 CR250 and some lovely 1988 CR125s!”

 

Rider replacement at Honda RedMoto

Matteo Boffelli, Holcombe’s Honda RedMoto Racing Enduro Team Manager, says the rehab process is important but in the meantime they will look for a replacement rider: “We are sorry for Steve’s injury, but we are happy that the surgery went as well as possible. Steve is an exemplary professional, and we are confident he will approach rehabilitation with the determination that has always distinguished him. At the same time, to honor the commitments made with our sponsors and continue our sporting journey in the Championship, the team is actively evaluating possible replacements to join the squad for the upcoming races.”

 

Photo Credit: S. Holcombe