P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Matthias Walkner has already won the Dakar Rally once, but this year he will pass up the world’s toughest rally. The reason? A shattered ankle, multiple bone fractures and 31 hours of surgery in December.
Matthias Walkner, a top contender in the Dakar Rally, will not participate in the famous rally in 2024 due to a freak accident during a test. He suffered multiple open fractures to his tibia, fibula, foot, and ankle, which was broken into 31 pieces. Walkner underwent multiple surgeries and had bone taken from his pelvis to reconstruct his ankle. Despite considering amputation, the medical team in Austria was able to save his foot. Walkner is currently in the hospital and will soon begin a long rehabilitation process. He remains optimistic about his recovery and hopes to be pain-free and able to participate in the Dakar Rally again in the future.
