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Paul Bolton gets the all clear

After injuring his neck in Day 1 in the mountains at Red Bull Romaniacs, Paul Bolton is pleased to report that he has had the all clear and is now back on the bike!

Paul’s account: I was 5th to set off into the mountains on day 1, quickly catching up to Alfredo Gomez who set off 3rd. My navigation was good and I was riding strong, but trying hard to find the rhythm as the going felt a little sketchy. The first part of the track was in long grass and on logging roads with some tricky uphills. The sun coming up created poor visibility and what lurked in the grass did not inspire me with confidence to push beyond limits. Unfortunately for Jonny Walker, he hit something in the grass and injured his recovering leg, which ended his race right there. I decided to settle into my own pace. I passed through the service point taking a couple of painkillers, as I was feeling a little bit of pain in my upper body. However, after another tank of fuel past the service point, it became so bad that I stopped at tank point 3. I was suffering with blurred vision, pain and stiffness in my neck as well as pain and weakness down my left arm. I was unable to focus on the track and had to keep stopping. The medical team at the tank point assessed me, massaged me and gave me painkillers. I badly wanted to carry on but my condition didn’t improve and it was a danger to attempt to ride like that in the Gold class. You need good vision, full range of motion and confidence on the uphills, downhills and fast sections. I reluctantly called Lisa (my service crew!) who came to collect me. I was devastated as I really thought I could podium this year. I can’t 100% say what caused it. I do remember the camera which was mounted on my head, being hooked up by a tree. I was almost pulled off the bike and I recall yelping as it wrenched me hard. I also remember dropping very hard into a drainage rut. Both of which could have caused my neck injury.

I had a scan at the local Romanian hospital and was given the all clear. Later that day a couple of doctors who were riding in the Iron class, took a look at my scan and spotted a fracture in the ‘spur’ at the back of the vertebra. They advised me that I was fine to continue as usual, as it was away from the spinal cord. However I was unable to ride. They invited me to their clinics in Munich on our drive home to England for CT and MRI scanning. Thankfully, they confirmed that I do not need surgery and I can resume normal riding, as soon as the pain and stiffness subsides.

So onwards and upwards! Although I was highly disappointed to have trained harder than ever for this year’s Romaniacs, it was not to be for me! It’s been 3 years since I last had a DNF at a hard enduro. I stayed for the duration of the rally to support and spectate. Some of you may have seen some of the final day’s live commentary that I did! So now my plan is to continue training hard ready for my next big race, which will be Megawatt in Poland in September.

See a re-run of the live footage from the finish line: http://www.redbullromaniacs.com/ro/live/ 

See Paul set the 2nd fastest time at the prologue qualifier with his on-board commentary: https://www.facebook.com/redbull/videos/10157209306110352/ 

You can follow Paul on instagram, twitter and facebook @paulboltsenduro

On Friday 19th August Paul will be running a training school at Back Cowm. Paul Bolton is an ACU qualified coach. Details