Spinal injury puts Tai Woffinden's world title defence in doubt
Tai Woffinden's world title defence has been dealt a serious blow after the triple speedway champion fractured a vertebrae in his spine and broke his shoulder blade.
The former Wolverhampton Wolves rider also bruised his lung in a crash while racing for Wroclaw in the Polish League on Friday night.
The 28-year-old was initially rushed to hospital after the tangle in heat one before making a 500km trip to see a spinal specialist.
The injury means he will likely miss the next two Grand Prix, leaving him a huge mountain to climb to retain the world title for the first time.
Great Britain's Woffinden, who has won the world title three times, is currently eighth in the standings after two meetings.
