Dani Pedrosa has left hospital following an operation to his arm and knee necessitated by his nasty fall during night testing at Qatar at the beginning of the week, and though he is not promising that he will be back in action in the opening race of the season in just five weeks’ time, it is clear that is his goal.
The Repsol Honda star - who had been widely expected to be a contender for the crown in 2009 - sustained a fractured left forearm and re-opened a left knee wound when he was thrown from his bike at the Losail International Circuit and subsequently hit by his RC212V on Monday. When the accident occurred, Pedrosa’s knee was still recovering from surgery in December, to help heal damage sustained on the opening lap of last October’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
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Pedrosa is expected to be able to begin his rehabilitation within a week, though he knows his knee is not likely to heal quickly and he will have to wait almost a month before being able to begin bending the joint again. That means he will almost certainly have to forego the final pre-season test at Jerez on 28-29 March, but the 23-year-old insists he is keeping his options open.
“Turning to the recovery times, we are optimistic, although we cannot commit ourselves to being ready for the first race. 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 do not rule anything out.” Dr. Xavier Mir said.
“The knee injury is more complicated, but it is looking very good, so we are optimistic. We know that in many cases the recovery times for professional sportsmen are usually shorter, and keeping this in mind Dani’s prognosis is very good.”
“I feel quite a lot better. When I arrived the truth is that the knee did not look very good, but the operation went well and I am pleased. Dr. Ferreira made his final check and I saw how good the knee was looking,” commented Pedrosa. “Now I have to rest a little as it is very important to give the body a break for the first few days, let things take their course, then I will start my recovery plan. I imagine that at the beginning it will be tough trying to give the skin and knee some elasticity. Referring to my arm, this will not be so complicated, as it will not be immobilised for so long.”
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“We are planning to work hard and so 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. The objective is to try and be fit for the first race. You do not choose to be in a situation like this, but we have no other choice than to face up to things and to carry on. I have fallen many times and I have always fought back and I will do it again. We will get back to riding fast on the bike, but it is true that I am having some problems this pre-season, but there is nothing we can do about that, we just have to keep going.”
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