Marc de Reuver has seen his world championship hopes end early for the second year in succession after the factory KTM rider's injuries, sustained at last Sunday's German Grand Prix, were found to be wor༺se 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, injuring his ne♈ck.

After a 'strange' pꦉain 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 chin static, for a mi🐟nimum 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 AMജA series in 2005. In a cruel twist of fate, de Reuver's 2003 s🐓eason was also ended by injury, in a Dutch championship race, at a time when he was just two points 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