NW200 podium 'meant the world' after injury comeback
· Yahoo Sports
Republic of Ireland rider Michael Sweeney says standing on the podium at the North West 200 in 2025, two years after he suffered serious injuries in an accident at the event, "meant the world" to him and his partner Emma.
Visit betsport.cv for more information.
The Skerries rider's extensive list of injuries sustained as a result of the crash included breaking his back in two places, fracturing 13 ribs, a broken collarbone, three broken bones in his hand, a dislocated leg, a dislocated knee, some internal bleeding and nerve damage to his left foot.
After a long period of treatment, recovery and rehabilitation, Sweeney returned to racing in 2024 and realised his dream of standing on the rostrum at the North West last year, finishing second in the second Supertwins event.
"Last year was a special year for us. It meant the world to me, and to Emma as well, it was a really proud moment for us," Sweeney told the BBC Bikes podcast.
"After the accident in 2023 and the comeback, to do that in the same race as I had the accident was a lovely time for us after all we went through.
"Especially for Emma, after all she did, she really looked after me, and she deserved it.
"It was the best moment I've had in racing. It tops everything. It was really special."
Sweeney explained that he considered quitting the sport while in hospital after his crash, but ultimately opted to continue his road racing career.
"Lying in the hospital bed I said, 'this is it, I'm not doing this any more' but Emma pushed me so that I'm back to where I am today.
"Physically I battled my way back but it was a mental block, I didn't think I'd get back over it, I got a lot of flashbacks of what happened, I couldn't get it out of my head.
"I didn't get knocked out in that accident, so I felt everything, saw everything. I was awake for the whole lot of it. Stuff like that you'd rather be knocked out and be unaware of what's happening."
Sweeney acknowledged that it was difficult to get over the psychological hurdle of returning to the North West the following year.
"It was a nervous time going back to the track in 2024 but it helped me a lot going through that part where I had the accident.
"We came back last year with a different frame of mind and it kind of worked out.
"All I ever wanted was to stand on the podium at an international race, at the TT or the North West or wherever, and I finally did it.
"I'm very happy to have done it but it's also given me that little bit of belief that you can have a go at this."
"I'm getting a little bit more work done to the bike, see if we can get a little bit more power out of it."