The first round of the World Superbike season at Phillip Island – and even pre-season testing – was disastrous for Ducati Alstare team, Ayrton Badovini missed both races after crashing in practice and breaking his foot and team mate Carlos Checa despite a crash, that left him bruised and battered in practice, was later able to stormto pole position, but then crashed out in the first race suffering a concussion that required a brief hospital stay.
After leaving Australia Checa went to New Zealand for a vacation but when he returned to Spain underwent a new medical examination which revealed that he had suffered two cracked bones and a ligament injury to his right foot, but the former World champion believes that he will be fit for next month’s Aragon round.
” After the crash in the first race in Australia, I’ve sustained two cracks and a ligament injury.
It’s nothing serious but I have to be immobilized for two more weeks.
Regarding the crash I don’t remember anything before it happened.
I had some problems with the rear tire and after a good start, I was riding cautiously, but I missed my braking mark because of a severe pain in my foot.
Nevertheless I’m calm because I’ll be in shape for the Aragon round and am eager to continue working on the new Ducati Panigale”.
Badovini reporting on his injuries said, “I had the plaster cast removed and I’m about go to Imola to visit the guys at Clinica Mobile, start the passive rehab and to discover the reason why I feel pain in my left knee.
It is probably caused by putting all my weight on that leg while getting around on crutches.
They said I will be able to race at Aragon, now it’s a matter of understanding the exact day I will be OK.
Up until now I haven’t done much training due to the broken rib – that has been the most painful injury – but in the last two days I felt better so I could start working on the upper body, and today we’re going to make a plan for it.
It’s important not to forge ahead right now based on how I feel, because we can end up making things worse instead of improving my conditions.
There’s still a month to go and that makes me feel good.
The hard work goes on both at Ducati and at the Alstare headquarter.
I’m confident we’ll be back strong at Aragon and there are also some testing days planned after the event, so I can say our season will officially start in Spain.
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