Italian superstar Valentino Rossi has undergone a succesful operation to remove the titanium rod that was inserted in his right tibia following a high-speed practice crash at the 2010 MotoGP round at Mugello in Italy.
The 32-year-old had the operation at Cattolica's Cervesi Hopsital just after his return for the Officail MotoGP Test in Malaysia, where he enjoyed a succesful debut aboard the new Ducati GP12 machine.
Rossi will be fit for the second test in Malaysia, which is due to start on February 28th.
Ducati Team rider Nicky Hayden, will undergo surgery on his left shoulder following the test at Sepang in Malaysia last week. Hayden had to pull out of the test early due to lack of strength.
The American travelled directly to Fremont, California, for a thorough examination at Doctor Arthur Ting's clinic. Tests at the clinic showed damage to the cartilage in Hayden's shoulder, as well as to muscles in his back.
Nicky will undergo an operation to evaluate his condition more closely and to treat the injury.
Hayden said :
"Of course another operation before the start of the season is never a good thing, but i'm actually happy that i tried to ride in Malaysia, because it helped me discover that the problem was the shoulder. That's why i cound not ride well."
The FIM revealed the provisional entry list for the 2012 World Superbike Championship with a total of 24 riders so far. The biggest shock is that Noriyuki Haga is not on the list.
The 43-times race winner who finished eighth last year riding for the PATA Aprilia Racing Team has been keeping a low profile over the winter is rumoured to be riding a Ducati in the UK or Japan, but retirement has not been ruled out at this stage.
With less than a month to go till the start of the season, Haga still could surprise us all. Watch this space.
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