Runner-up slot and a cracked bone for Biaggi at Donington

World Superbike Press Release

Max Biaggi may have powered his Aprilia RSV4 to a best-ever second place result in the Italian factory's fledgling WSB year, but he also came away from Donington Park with a cracked bone in his right foot. On lap 4 of the second race Biaggi lost his front tire at the Melbourne hairpin and slipped to the ground.

He quickly got back on his bike and returned to the race, but on re-entry, Max came into contact with Polita (Celani Suzuki) along the outer curb and slipped back to twentieth place. During the crash, the Roman rider ended up with a bruise and a minor injury to the third metatarsal of his right foot, but he still managed to finish the race in twentieth place. The degree of his injuries will not prevent Max from participating in the Aprilia's private test run on the Brno track that is scheduled for July 1st and 2nd.

"I'm very pleased with the result of race 1," declared Biaggi. "After some difficult trials, we finally found the right tires and balance, even though we had a few problems during the warm-up. We had a great race, and we managed to set a pace that was just under the track record. I must compliment Ben, because he set an incredible pace. At the last chicane, the bike died out suddenly, but fortunately it started again and because of the lead I had gained over Haga, I still managed to cross the finish line in second place. During the second race, I felt the vibrations a lot more, it was probably because of the fact that there wasn't as much grip on the track which would also explain why there were so many falls. I started off well and I was able to keep up with Spies' pace, but during the fourth lap I entered the hairpin the same way I always do and about halfway through, I lost the front tire. I managed to keep the motorcycle running, but re-entering from the outer curb area, I was hit by another driver and ended up with this minor injury to my foot. I'm disappointed because I could have had another podium finish."

Surgery a success, Haga returning to Italy

World Superbike Press Release

At 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Ducati Xerox rider Noriyuki Haga underwent successful surgery at the Derby City Hospital. Having fractured the ulna in his right arm in Sunday’s crash at Donington Park, Noriyuki today had a plate and screws inserted to set the bone. The surgical team deemed the surgery a success and there were no unforeseen complications.

Prior to the operation, medical staff took a closer look at his right shoulder blade and an x-ray unfortunately confirmed that he has multiple fractures to his left scapula. The scapula will not necessitate surgical intervention and the bone should knit itself back together in time; this complication should not prolong Noriyuki's recovery time. The Japanese rider should be discharged from hospital today and he and his family will fly back to Italy so that Noriyuki can begin the necessary physiotherapy treatment.

The Ducati Xerox rider will not participate in the next tests at Imola but it is foreseen that he will compete in the next round at Brno.

Haga’s condition less serious than expected

World Superbike Press Release

Noriyuki Haga was transported to the Emergency department of Derby City Hospital by helicopter at about 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon, after having been victim of a massive high-side during Race 2 at Donington Park. The Japanese rider, accompanied by doctors from the Clinica Mobile, was seen by Doctor Rajan and once extensive tests and an urgent CAT scan were carried out, Dr. Rajan declared that the fracture to one of the vertebrae that had shown up on the X-ray taken at the circuit's Medical Centre was actually a very old fracture and must have been caused during another much earlier incident, years previously. This fracture has, over time, sealed without medical intervention and doesn't present a problem.

After a stable night in the Pre-Op assessment ward of Derby City Hospital, Noriyuki Haga will undergo surgery this afternoon to insert a plate and screws in his right forearm, to set a fracture to the right ulna. He is continuing to experience pain in the left shoulder blade, and so although no serious damage has yet been detected, doctors will investigate further to understand the cause of the pain.

The only injury needing immediate treatment at this time is the broken ulna. If the surgery is deemed a success, and there are no complications regarding his shoulder blade, Noriyuki should be able to return home to Italy in the next two days and the Ducati Xerox Team does not currently exclude the possibility of Noriyuki's return to the track in time for the next round in the Czech Republic, on the 26th July at Brno.
June 29, 2009

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