Robert Wickens has amazed us all with social media posts of the strides he has made in his inspiring recovery process from a crash at Pocono Raceway in August.
This week, Wickens surprised even himself. The Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver posted a video on Wednesday depicting him on a stationary bike.
In the post, Wickens wrote, “I wanted to see if I could pedal on my own before an electric stimulation began. First time on an up right bike since the accident and I could pedal it! It’s been a great week so far!”
The 29-second video shows Wickens, rehabilitating from a spinal cord injury sustained in the crash, pedaling the bike without the aid of electronic stimulators attached to his legs.
Onlookers cheer him on and, near the end, a smiling Wickens says, “Ready for the Tour de France.” Appropriately, the New Kids on the Block hit song “Step by Step” plays in the background. The social post received universal praise and applause from the motorsports world, including:
Tony Kanaan: "YOU ARE A BADASS. When are we doing the Ironman together?"
Marco Andretti: "Wow. Bahamas ready. Let's go."
Graham Rahal: "Dude. So inspired. Amazing, keep it up!!!!!!"
Zach Veach: "Hell yes man!! Nice job"
Jack Harvey: "Dude!! That's awesome!!!! Keep up the incredible work!"
Other responses from the racing fraternity included:
Courtney Force: "Amazing!"
Fernando Alonso: "Yessss"
Lewis Hamilton: "Stay up kid, keep pushing. We're all behind you."
Lando Norris: "YES!"
Lucas DiGrassi: "Amazing!! True Hero."
The day before, Wickens posted another video that showed him walking with assistance, but adding that his left leg is beginning to gain strength “finally!” He added that “for the first time I was able to pull my left leg through consistently.”
The racing world continues to send its best thoughts to the courageous Canadian. #GetWellWickens