The doctor overseeing Dani Pedrosa's treatment following his testing accident in Qatar earlier this week cannot guarantee that the Repsol Honda star will be fit for the opening round of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship next month. Pedrosa sustained injuries in a fall on the second day of a three-day test at the Losail circuit and underwent surgery on Wednesday to fit a screw in a fractured radius bone in his left arm and to apply a skin graft to his knee.
The Spaniard has been told his recovery time will be around four weeks, but Dr Xavier Mir, who performed the operation on Pedrosa's arm, revealed that the opening round of the season in Qatar on April 12 could come too soon. "Turning to the recovery times, we are optimistic, although we cannot commit ourselves to being ready for the first race," said Dr Mir. "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. The knee injury is more complicated but it is looking very good, so we are optimistic." Pedrosa was released from the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus hospital this morning, 72 hours after his admission, and told a press conference he remains confident he will be on the grid for the season-opener in Qatar. "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," said 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. "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." *PA Sport