Pre-season Moto2 title favourite Toni Elías' bid for glory in 2010 has taken an early knock, after it transpired that the Gresini (Moriwaki) star's injuries from his accident on the final day of testing at
Jerez de la Frontera two days ago are worse than initially thought – with double surgery having since been performed on the Spaniard.
Elías has never been outside of the top three during testing, but after lapping second-quickest to Forward Racing rookie Claudio Corti on Monday, the former
MotoGP race-winner then fell whilst endeavouring to avoid a slower rider. The initial diagnosis was just bruising to his hand and foot, but now it has been revealed that the 27-year-old has undergone surgery at the Teknon Medical Centre in Barcelona.
A team release has confirmed that traumatology and hand specialist Dr. Joaquim Casanas has operated to close the fractures on Elías' left ankle and the little finger of his left hand. A screw has been inserted into his ankle and a plate and five small screws measuring just 1.5mm each into his finger.
As soon as the operation was over, the Catalan began his rehabilitation process with great determination and under the guidance of Ricard Huélamo, director of sports physiotherapy at the Telkon Medical Centre – raising hopes of a return to action in time for the first race at Losail in Qatar in less than a fortnight's time.