Anthony Queripel after his against-the-odds victory at Vazon. (Picture by Tony Rive, 0590217)

ANTHONY QUERIPEL’S horrific leg break started the journey that led to his remarkable Condor Ferries Sand Ace Championship victory at Vazon last weekend.

In 2005, serious  injury led to an awful realisation that he would not be able to race again for at least two years. Some experts even told him he would be forced to quit the sport he loved.

But, speaking in the wake of his career-highlight win, Queripel said such talk was the extra motivation he needed. ‘I wanted to prove them all wrong, because I’m someone who never likes losing, even when the odds are stacked against me. Before the crash, I wasn’t challenging the top riders on sand at all. When I came back, I was determined to start winning.’

Since his comeback, the rise has been meteoric and the Sand Ace success has given him a new injection of confidence for the rest of the season, which includes the British Masters grasstrack qualifying event next month.