Promising young Ontario flat track racer Mike Labelle is out indefinitely with a torn MCL in his left knee. The Welland, ON-native, who took home a second place finish at Daytona in the AMA Pro Singles division early in the year, will be sitting out all AMA and CMA races, with a return to the track to be determined only when full tests have been completed…
“Two weeks before Lima I suffered a torn MCL in my left knee, and took both weeks off in between to let it heal a little before Lima. I left home the morning of the race knowing I was going to be riding with a little bit of pain but unfortunately for me, it was a lot more pain than I thought it was going to be. After qualifying I was ninth fastest, but everytime I put my foot down or even out, there was great pain in my knee which made it impossible to put down solid laps.
“I had a long talk with my parents and family present and we all agreed with my decision to pull out of the race. I have to consider my future and give my knee time to heal. Even though I had a front row start for the heat on a track I could have won on, it was impossible for me to ride PERFECT laps, which is what you need to do to win AMA Pro Singles mains. The main being 16 laps, and the amount of pain I was in, Lima wasnt a possibility.
“After talking with my Physiotherapist and Doctor, I have been informed that there is more damage to my knee that we were orginally told, and I am unable to ride for a while at AMA or Canadian events. An estimated time of return as of right now is not possible until I am checked out more clearly, but I will make sure to keep everyone posted.”
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