'This is not great': Payne feared the worst after training accident
Matt Payne feared the worst on injury after bike accident
Payne declares himself “100%” fit for Tasmania after training scare
Bathurst champion sprained left wrist in bike accident
Matt Payne maintains he’ll be at “100%” fitness for this weekend’s Tasmania event after sustaining a wrist injury.
Payne turned out on Thursday morning for a media call at UTAS Stadium in Launceston, still sporting a bandage.
There, Payne told media: “The wrist injury’s good. Obviously it’s not what you want.
“You want to be all perfect and healthy, but feeling really good, the recovery has been really well. We’ll be at 100%, for sure.”
Back in 2021, countryman Shane van Gisbergen famously raced just weeks after a mountain bike accident left him with a broken collarbone and fractured ribs.
When asked about that incident, Payne laughed: “I certainly didn’t want to copy that, but unfortunately same story headline, I feel like.”
Regardless, when the accident occurred, Payne couldn't help but panic, recounting: “There was certainly a moment there where I thought, ‘Okay, this is not great’.
“But we kept positive, luckily we got through these couple of weeks as well as we could have. I don’t really feel like I could have done anything more.”
Payne’s rehab and recovery included time spent in the simulator, which has helped the Kiwi get back up to speed before getting into his Penrite Mustang.
“A lot of strength and conditioning and stretching and things like that,” Payne replied, when asked about his rehab.
“It’s all recovered really well. Everyone is really happy with the progress we’ve made. I feel like my body has done really well to recover out of it and get ready to drive the car.
“I’ve been doing plenty of simulator and all that. It all seems to be 100%.”
Payne sits third in points heading to the Tyrepower Tasmania Super 440, which commences on Friday.
