Last Friday during free practice at Motegi Dani Pedrosa crashed and fractured his left collarbone, flew back to Spain and underwent surgery on Saturday to plate his damaged collarbone.
On Monday left the hospital and yesterday underwent a check-up where the Spanish rider stated “there is a very small possibility of going to Malaysia, but the realistic target is Australia.
”This very small possibility has now turned into reality, because according to Alex Crivillé, former two times World Champion and now Spanish TV commentator revealed this morning, that Pedrosa has boarded a flight to Kuala Lumpur and will try to ride in Saturday’s free practice at the Sepang circuit.
Pedrosa’s (or infact any other rider) desire to try to ride should really no longer surprise anyone, considering the number of rounds in his career he’s ridden injured and even if title hope effectively ended at Motegi.
UPDATED:It looks like Alex Crivillè was looking for a little attention, because Honda with the following press release has officially denied that Pedrosa will be at Sepang this weekend.
PEDROSA’S ABSENCE CONFIRMED FOR MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIXIt has been confirmed today that Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa will not take part in this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.
Pedrosa underwent surgery on Saturday to fix a titanium plate to the collarbone he broke during practice for last weekend’s Grand Prix of Japan.
After the successful operation, there was a very slim chance that the Spaniard would be fit enough to make the journey from Barcelona to Malaysia and attempt to take part in this weekend’s MotoGP race.
However, after careful consideration, Pedrosa has made the understandable decision to stay at home to continue his recovery.
The target for his return remains the Australian Grand Prix, practice for which begins on October 15.
In Pedrosa’s absence, the Repsol Honda Team will not field a replacement rider this weekend, and so Andrea Dovizioso will fly the flag alone for the factory Honda squad in Malaysia.