Marc de Reuver has seen his world championship hopes end early for the second year in succession after the factory KTM rider's🍸 injuries, ไsustained at last Sunday's German Grand Prix, were found to be worse than expected.

After a run of mechanical problems, pre-season title favourite de Reuver was fourth in the MX2 championship heading into round five of the series, at Teutschenthal, where he would fall heavily, inju🌳ring his neck.

After a 'strange' pain continued, Marc went to hospital yesterday (Wednesday) for a scan, where it was discovered that the Dutchman has broken the seventh vertebra in his neck - and will now need to wear a neck brace, which holds his chi🃏n static, for a minimum of eight weeks.

Thus ends what could be de Reuver's last chance of a world championship, since he is due to move to the AMA series in 2005. In a cruel twist of fate, de Reuver's 2003 season was also ended by injury, in a Dutch championship race, at a time when he was just two poi🔴nts behind eventual world champion Steve Ramon.

Well-wishers should send any messages for Marc to:
Marc de Reuver
Wolfert van Borsselenweg 85
1181 PH AMSTELVEEN
The Netherlands