Less than a day before Rod Adelberg was set to compete at X Games California 2023, one of freestyle motocross’s most outstanding athletes crashed while undertaking the final preparations for his routine.
The Benalla local was rushed to hospital where he was kept overnight to monitor an injury he had sustained to his neck.
Adelberg posted a video to Instagram as he lay on a hospital bed in a neck brace to describe his situation and what went wrong.
“This isn’t the video I wanted to post from X Games but unfortunately this is what happens sometimes,” Adelberg said.
“Silly crash. Kicking myself over it. My weekend is done.
“They’re keeping me in here overnight. My neck is in bits and I’m struggling. Yeah, it looks like this year is done for me.
“I had a huge trick planned. I’m just going to have to save it for the next one. We’ll be back.”
Adelberg was looking to defend his Moto X Freestyle and Moto X Best Trick wins from last year’s events.
In the Adelberg’s absence it was Frenchman David Rinaldo who took home the Moto X Best Trick crown to close the first day of the competition by landing a Carolla variation.
Australians took the other two medals, with X Games Japan gold medallist Jackson Strong collecting silver and Jayo Archer bronze.
Adelberg was coming of the back of a stellar outing at X Games Japan where he placed second in the Moto X Best Trick competition.
The Rose City’s star of freestyle motocross will be looking to make a speedy recovery and get back to working the new trick he had installed for the games in California.
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