Eighteen-year old Jack Sheppard is making good progress following his recent and successful operation to rectify the season long problem with his right wrist. Top hand surgeon Doctor Campbell was pleased with how the complicated procedure had gone and predicted that Jack should make a good recovery. Britain’s only FIM World Champion this year will return to the Leeds clinic this Friday for his first check up and to hopefully have a full cast fitted that will allow him to be more mobile and active.
Jack will make the most of his trip north from his home in Ipswich, Suffolk and will travel onward to be a frustrated and interested spectator at the World famous Scott – time and observation trial due to be held near Richmond, North Yorkshire this coming Saturday. Sheppard will no doubt have mixed emotions about returning to the Scott, after a mechanical problem robbed him of a strong debut finish at the ultra tough event this time last year.
Whilst Jack’s activities have been completely restricted during the early part of the healing process post operation, he was recently allowed to enjoy a special evening of celebration. Around one hundred and fifty invited guests were present for a surprise party organised for Jack, as his native Eastern centre recognised and applauded what is hopefully the first of many World titles for the youngster.
Beta UK boss John Lampkin was on hand to offer his most heart felt congratulations and to praise Jack’s incredible efforts to ride through the pain to take both the World and European crowns. Suffolk’s finest export even managed to add a few words of his own to the evening, thanking his family and sponsors for their ongoing support.
After this initial period of recuperation, Sheppard will soon be able to return to his physical training programme in readiness for when he can resume riding his bike either later this year or early in 2012. Currently plans are being put in place for Jack to make a full World assault again next season, with his goal of collecting back to back World titles being his main priority. Discussions to date suggest that all of Jack’s loyal and valued sponsors will continue to assist him as he moves to the next step of his promising sporting career.
Commenting on his recovery Sheppard said. “The good news is that the operation went well and that Doctor Campbell was both pleased with the work he has done and is hopeful that the results should be good if I follow his instructions and don’t try to do too much too early. Hopefully the worst bit is now over with, and gradually step by step things will get better.”
“I am looking forward to going to the Scott and in someways am almost pleased that I will not be riding, as I can still remember how tough it was last year. It will be nice to see some familiar faces and to see a trials bike again, as all mine have been removed from the garage to avoid any temptation.”
Jack wrapped up by saying. “The celebration party was a great surprise and was a real boost for me just at the right time. I would like to thank Dave Cordle and family for organising it, also to thank all those people who came on the night, especially all my sponsors without whom I would not have been able to have achieved what I have done so far.”
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