MotoGP news

Pedrosa's chances take a hammer blow

Dani Pedrosa's chances of being in contention for the title this season have taken a serious setback, as he may be unable to compete in the opening race in Qatar following his testing accident last week.

The Spaniard was thrown from his Repsol Honda on Sunday night before being returned home to Barcelona where he underwent several tests and scans as well as two operations in his home city.

Pedrosa's accident took place on the first night of a three-day test at the same venue which will host Round 1 of 2009 on 12 April. The off caused further damage to the left arm which he first injured in Germany last season, as well as his left leg. He has since had operations on both, which included a skin graft. "With regards to the recovery times we are optimistic, although we cannot commit ourselves to being ready for the first race," commented Dr. Xavier Mir, a Barcelona surgeon. "We will take all the relevant steps to speed his recovery, and even though we cannot say whether he will be ready for the first race we are not ruling it out."

Despite being in hospital for five nights until being dispatched on Saturday, Pedrosa will be remaining positive for the next five weeks which lead up to the first race: "We are planning to work hard and be ready for the first race in Qatar, but when the day arrives we will have to see whether I am really in perfect shape to get on the bike."

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