West Cumbrian speedway star Dan Bewley is in a Danish hospital after a serious crash in Outrup.
It was not the 27th birthday present the Maryport-based rider expected as he appears to have broken his leg and also suffered a back injury.
He was riding for Region Varde against Slangerup when, in the opening heat, he straightened up and flew into the first bend fence at speed.
It appeared to have been caused by a mechanical defect following the start.
The meeting was abandoned due to damage to the safety fence.
Posting on his Facebook page afterwards while being treated in hospital Bewley said: “Happy birthday too me! It could have been worse so I am grateful for that.
“But I am absolutely devastated.
“I truly felt like I was entering my prime, probably enjoying speedway more than I have since I was 16.
“Thank you to my team, my clubs, my sponsors and everyone who has supported me through thick and thin.
“Thank you for all the messages, it means a lot but I am really struggling to read them at the moment.
“I’ll keep you all updated when I have some news but for now I’m am being treated well in Denmark.
“I have a broken femur and a compressed vertebrae in my back, I knew straight away that I had broken my leg but thankfully it’s a cleaner break than last time.”
Bewley ended last season’s GP programme ranked third in the world and had started this year by winning all five of his programmed rides in the first meeting before being beaten into second place in the final.
