‘Brain fog’ after NW200 crash was worrying – Coward

Motorcycle road racer Jamie Coward described the persistent “brain fog” that was a concern in the weeks that followed his crash as “a concern” but said he “got away lightly” after the collision at last month’s North West 200.

The 34-year-old was taken to a hospital in Coleraine for treatment after exiting his Kawasaki machine at Quarry Hill during the opening Supertwins race over the Triangle circuit.

He left England a few days later, but the Isle of Man TT was missed.

According to Coward, “At first, they thought I had a bleed on the brain, but they had to go find out if it was or not,” Coward told BBC Sport NI.

“It turned out to be a very bruised bruise. After being severely concussed for four or five weeks, I’ve been unable to truly feel like myself. It wasn’t until a week ago that a lightbulb ignited, and I’m now completely recovered.

With such a long history of brain fog, it eventually became quite worrying.

Coward revealed that the accident on Saturday of race week also left him with “a hole in the leg.”

A footpeg, a handlebar, or a lever went about four or five inches into my leg, which left a significant, deep wound.

The worst thing was the head bang, but I had to leave it open so that it could heal internally.

The Yorkshireman’s stable of machinery included a factory-backed Triumph for the Supersport class and a 1000cc BMW bike for the 1000cc categories, which the Yorkshireman had previously won in the North West since 2022.

Prior to crashing two days later, he had posted sixth places in the opening Superbike and Supersport races on Thursday night of this year’s event and had previously won podium finishes at both the North West and the TT.

On that first North West race day, I felt really well and. After two years of being away for two years, I returned with some really positive results.

“I can recall what exactly occurred in the crash,” he said. In the last corner, I attempted to pass someone. As I grabbed the brake, I lost the front end, and he turned defensive, as you do on the final lap of the race. I woke up in the hospital when I hit the floor and couldn’t remember anything else.

People have ended their careers there in the past, according to the statement.

Returning to the Armoy road races on July 25 and 26 will be on Coward’s racing schedule in the coming weeks.

In 2024, he was given the title of “man of the meeting” at the occasion.

The KTS Steadplan Racing rider added, “I’m hoping that the confidence is still there when I get back on the bike.” “I’ll be trying my best to get back to where I was.”

The Armoy road races are “absolutely my favorite.” It very closely resembles the Southern 100 races, where I first began my road racing career.

“I love the circuit and the spectators come out in force,” said the committee and the people who oversee it.

Coward won both Supertwins races last year, establishing a new lap record for the class with 105. 536 mph in the process, and placing third and fourth in other meetings in County Antrim.

People are waving their programs at you as you approach the finish line. There isn’t another similar sensation.