Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies back from injuries for 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix – MotoGP news
Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies has made back to track for the first practice day at the Sepang International Circuit.
Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix is 17th event of the 2011 MotoGP season.
Spies said, “It’s been a really rough day, coming back after the crash in Australia I’m pretty beat up and not able to ride the bike like I want to which is really showing. We’re doing the best we can but I feel like I’m struggling.”
The American, Yamaha factory rider had a severe fall during the Australian GP weekend while he was lapping in qualifying practice session. He had a fall at over 270Km/h, while entering a corner.
The crash left him with severe bruises on his ribs and left side of his lower back. He was rushed to Clinica Mobile for medical assistance. He was diagnosed with no fractures or wounds.
However, Spies tried hard to push his machine to the maximum but his physical condition hampered him. Though he started the day with sixth in the morning’s final timesheet, but ended it at the ninth place in afternoon.
The American rider is aimed to collect as many points possible to firm his position in the 2011 world championship. Spies is fifth in the points table just behind Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda, fourth.
Spies’ teammate Jorge Lorenzo also had a severe crash during the QP session at Phillip Island. The Spaniard lost tip of a finger on his left hand, while also damaging other fingers.
Lorenzo was moved to Knox Private Hospital in Victoria for cosmetic surgery, having success in the operation. The Spanish rider was declared to miss the upcoming event.
Due to the situation Yamaha called its test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga to replace the defending world champion for Sepang.
Nakasuga stated, “Today was my first day riding in the MotoGP Championship; I wanted to learn as much as I could during the sessions. Unfortunately I crashed this morning but thought that afterwards I would be able to relax a little once it was out of the
way. Unfortunately again I crashed this afternoon and I’m not sure why.”
The Japanese test rider had couple of crashes on the first day. He will progress to learn more on the MotoGP bike.
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