TWO of the three Wanganui Dibben brothers are under starter's orders at the New Zealand Supercross at Cooks Gardens today.
But third and youngest brother Michael is grounded and will be watching from the stand.
Even though he's keen for his brothers to win, Michael admits he's totally "gutted" that he's not racing too.
The 17-year-old seventh former at Wanganui High School, an avid motocross rider, broke his back in November last year while practising jumps on his motorbike at Castlecliff.
He misjudged one jump and landed so heavily and "flatly" his back fractured.
He knew something "horrible" had happened to him, Michael said.
He rolled from his bike into a ditch and lay in horrendous, searing pain until help came and he was taken to Wanganui Hospital.
"The pain was so, so bad," Michael said.
For 12 days days he was flat on his back and was dosed up with pain killers before being flown to Christchurch by the Wanganui air rescue service.
For the flight south, Michael was bound and strapped like a mummy on the stretcher.
"I couldn't move. They packed me in and strapped me down to protect me from all the bumps and stuff."
After successful spinal surgery at the Burwood Spinal Unit, the plucky teen was able to walk a few tentative steps just the day after the operation.
"Well, actually, they made me get up and try to walk a bit, because that's the best thing to do," he said.
Now, three months on, Michael is walking slowly and carefully, the scar from his operation still livid down his spine, but he's glad to be alive and walking. His sporting activities have been reduced to a bit of swimming, he said.
"Yeah, bit boring."
But motorcycles, touch rugby and volleyball are all out.
Michael's face said it all as he watched his brothers Simon, 20, and Richard, 18, unload their bikes and don their leather gear yesterday for a practice run on the track.
"I'm so gutted. I want to ride. I love riding."
But his parents, Chris and Gailene, say they're happy to have their son home in one piece and able to walk.
Mrs Dibben said Michael's accident had aged her at least 10 years.
"But that's boys, isn't it? I had all girls in my family, so it was quite different...''
It's trackside today for Michael and his dad, Chris, but Mrs Dibben's not sure whether she will be on the sideline.
"I don't know if I really want to watch. I might stay quietly at home. Then I don't have to watch."
PICTURED: Grounded while his brothers fly for fun and fame at the New Zealand Supercross motorcycle races at Cooks Gardens today. From left: The Dibben brothers Michael, Simon and Richard, with mum and dad Gailene and Chris supporting every move.
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