Torrance, CA: American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel has been released from a Georgia hospital and is currently recuperating in Montreal after suffering injuries during a testing crash at Road Atlanta last week. Duhamel, who was third in points for the 2007 AMA Superbike championship at the time of his crash, suffered a broken rib, punctured right lung, collapsed left lung, a lacerated liver and sprains to both ankles and knees. He is currently getting around on crutches, and plans to see specialists and begin physical therapy as soon as possible.

“The impact was extremely hard,” said Duhamel, who crashed into the turn 12 wall after losing the back end of his CBR1000RR Superbike. “I went into the wall feet first, then hit my side. I went through the first three rows of hay bales, and then hit the tire wall. I came to an abrupt halt. I thought for sure I broke my sternum because I couldn’t breathe. I have one broken rib, but they all hurt. From where I crashed and hit the asphalt to the wall is a short distance – maybe 25 feet or so. From hitting the ground to hitting the wall seemed like it took barely a second. I saw the bike go into the wall and take out the air fence. I remember going through the hay bales, just blowing them up like they were mini shredded wheats. I don’t think I had the benefit of hitting the air fence. Mat Mladin and Kevin Schwantz placed extra hay bales there earlier in the day, exactly where I hit, so a big thanks to those guys.”

Duhamel will not be competing at the Virginia International Raceway national this month, and is taking his rehabilitation one day at a time. “I’m pretty fearless with broken bones,” said Duhamel, “but internal injuries are another story.”

“I want to take this time to thank everyone who has called, texted, faxed and visited me at the hospital,” said Duhamel. “The support has been amazing. I’ll be back out there as soon as humanly possible.”