It was a year ago today that Kenny Noyes, an American roadracer who lived in Barcelona and raced mostly in Europe, crashed during a practice session in the Spanish Superbike championship. His motorcycle bounced off the wall and hit him in the head. The early news was grim. Would he live? Would he forever be in a vegetative state? Anything was possible.
Kenny Noyes. Honda Racing photo.
I met Kenny Noyes briefly in 2007 when by chance I sat next to him on a bus taking a group of writers from our hotel in Doha, Qatar, to the Losail International Circuit for the press intro of the Kawasaki ZX-10R. Kenny was writing for one of the Spanish magazines during the off-season.
You know how you always remember the stupid things you blurt out, even if you forget your witty moments? I still recall that when I introduced myself, and found out whom I was sitting beside, I made some comment about enjoying the work of his father, former racer and well known journalist and commentator Dennis Noyes. A brief look of annoyance flickered across his face. Of course it would have been a lot more appropriate for me to have complimented his racing success, instead of his father’s work.
Despite that, he was polite and friendly and told me about his life as an expat in Barcelona, and it sounded ideal. We had both lived abroad and married a woman from an adopted culture, but there ended any similarities. The other views I got of Kenny that day and the next were watching the tail end of his Ninja sliding and slewing into the turns, in ways I could only imagine, as he lapped me again and again.
Now, a year later, his recovery is not yet complete, but he has fought back from that darkness. I did not know just how amazing the journey has been until I read this story written by Cristian Ramón Marín Sanchiz and posted today at the Motomatters blog by David Emmett, who adds his own comments and interviews with both Kenny and Dennis. Read it if you have a few minutes.
Brain and spinal injuries are any thinking rider’s greatest fears, and Kenny’s injuries, a year ago, saddened me. His comeback provides hope, however, and shows the will of a racer who won’t give up. His family’s dedication shows the same will. Thanks for the example, Kenny. #FuerzaKennyNoyes
