MotoGP

Repsol Honda Sepang test summary

Sepang: Repsol Honda MotoGP Test Recap - Hayden Fastest Nicky Hayden completed the first MotoGP tests of 2008 with the fastest lap at Sepang today. The Repsol Honda man rode a stunningly fast lap on qualifiers to top the three-day session. He also ...

Edited: Jan 27, 2008, 12:44 AM

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Sepang: Repsol Honda MotoGP Test Recap - Hayden Fastest

Nicky Hayden completed the first MotoGP tests of 2008 with the fastest lap at Sepang today. The Repsol Honda man rode a stunningly fast lap on qualifiers to top the three-day session. He also set an impressive pace in race trim, riding his best-ever Sepang lap on race tyres at 2m 01.6s. The 2006 MotoGP World Champion spent most of the day riding his RC212V equipped with conventional valves after testing Honda's new pneumatic-valve engine this morning. The Sepang weather was typically tropical today, with ambient temperature at 33 degrees and track temperature at 51 degrees.

Team-mate Dani Pedrosa underwent surgery yesterday in Barcelona to fix the right hand injury he suffered when he crashed here at Sepang on January 22. The Spaniard was diagnosed to have suffered a fracture in the second metacarpal and three diaphysary fragments, the bones in the middle section of the metacarpian. The operation, which fixed the damage with a titanium plate and seven screws, was carried out by Dr Xavier Mir at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus. The usual recovery period for such an injury is six weeks, but Dr Mir believes Pedrosa should be able to return to riding sooner than that, if all goes well with his recuperation. Hayden resumes testing at Phillip Island, Australian next week, on January 30, 31 and February 1.

Nicky Hayden, fastest lap: 2m 00.326s (lap 25 of 77)

"Today's gone a lot better than the last couple and we're feeling positive, I feel like I'm a lot closer than I was a year ago here. This morning we checked the pneumatic valve engine, then we just focused on the standard engine and this year's chassis, working on the general set-up. I used qualifiers for my fastest lap and they worked well. After that we did a batch of front tyres because one of my weak points here is that sometimes I struggle when this track gets hot. So I did a batch of tyres at the hottest part of the day to improve on that.

We hadn't really tested any tyres for Michelin here until today and we wanted to do a long run. That run was decent, probably the best thing I've done all week. I did the best lap I've ever done round here on race tyres on lap 18, a 2m 01.6s. At the end of three long days that wasn't too bad. I used a 16.5 on that run but I've also been trying some 16 rears here. Now we go to Phillip Island which is quite a different track with some long corners, some high-speed stuff and a lot of changes of direction. The big thing there is tyres so it'll be really important to do some more tyre work with Michelin there. We will also do some more work with the pneumatic-valve engine. I've got faith in Honda, so hopefully they can make us proud. I think it's going to be a good season, there's a lot of guys going fast, a lot of guys motivated. It's an exciting time, everyone's at zero."

Repsol MotoGP Rider Dani Pedrosa Has Been Released From Hospital

The Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa, was released from hospital today Thursday at midday after an operation on his fractured second metacarpal on his right hand. The surgery was performed by Dr. Xavier Mir, Jefe de la Unidad de Cirugia y Microcirugia de la Mano de USP Institut Universitari Dexeus.

Pedrosa fell last Tuesday during practice in Malaysia when he was riding his new Honda RC212V 2008. His front wheel lost adherence when he was braking. He was rapidly flown to Barcelona to have an operation as soon as possible so that he can return to competition riding as soon as he can.

Upon arrival at the hospital, and after the appropriate tests, the team of doctors directed by Dr. Xavier Mir responsible for him, confirmed that Pedrosa had a fractured second metacarpal on his right hand with three diaphysary fragments, these are the bones found in the middle part of the metacarpal. At 14:00 the Repsol rider entered the operating theatre and approximately two hours later the surgery was over. Quotes Dr. Xavier Mir

"The operation was basically to reduce the fracture and then to fix a titanium plate with screws -- seven of them. We placed a new plate specifically made for these bones in the operation with the screws to block the fracture.

These latest generation plates called low-contact, help fractures to cure faster. Pedrosa will be able to start his rehabilitation period within 72 hours. Referring to his rejoining his team and riding again, this is an unknown since top category sportsmen surprise us with their rates of recovery, compared to the minimum period of 6 weeks that are needed in the majority of cases when a typical patient has this type of injury."

Dani Pedrosa

"Now I just want to get better and I expect that I will be physically fine very soon. The operation went very well. Dr. Mir and all his team have done a good job, as always, and I have received the best attention here in the Dexeus.

I think this will help to make the recovery faster and better. It is obvious that now the injury decides everything and as the days pass we will be able to see if we can be at the other practice sessions. Comparing it with the ankle injuries, that was much more serious, although I had more time to recover. The fall was at speed, without any advance warning that might have made me think I was going to fall. I just touched the brake and I fell. I think that something went wrong on the bike in both the first and second falls, the mechanics are looking at the data we recorded to see were the bike failed."

-credit: repsol

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