As the
MotoGP World Championship returns to Misano after a 14-year hiatus this weekend, Gresini Racing pair
Toni Elias and
Marco Melandri are hoping to put injury worries behind them to produce solid results for the 'home' team.
Misano is as close to a home circuit as Fausto Gresini's staff could possibly get, with the team headquarters located just three kilometres away in San Clemente, adding extra incentive for all concerned - not least Elias and Melandri, who have both suffered serious injuries in recent weeks. A tough race in the Czech Republic a fortnight ago witnessed Elias' return after 51 days rehabilitating a broken left femur, but produced a new injury problem for Melandri, who missed the race after suffering an exposed discal hernia in his neck during practice.
"Medical checks after Brno confirmed a discal hernia between the fifth and sixth vertebrae but, luckily, the need for surgery was ruled out," the Italian revealed, "Although I need more rest and physiotherapy right up until the eve of the grand prix, the situation is better compared to Brno, but I know I am running out of time. I just hope to be in good shape for the race, because this is a special grand prix for the team.
"For me, it will be a physically challenging race after the problems I had at Brno, and I'll have to see how it is when I get on the bike on Friday To have a second race in Italy - as well as the traditional race at Mugello - is a privilege for the Italian riders, and I'm hoping to be fit."
Elias, meanwhile, had his confidence boosted by a successful return at Brno and is looking forward to bettering his eleventh place at the San Marino Grand Prix.
"Soon after my crash at Assen, I set my comeback target for Brno, and I worked hard, eight hours a day, and made it back at around 60 per cent fitness," he said, "I took the weekend as a kind of test and it was tough but, with another two weeks of rehab behind me, I feel more confident now. I've still got a lot of work to do, of course, but I feel calm."
The Spaniard is particularly keen to be fit enough to take advantage of ongoing work at the Gresini factory.
"At Brno, we received some updates for the chassis, exhaust and engine but, unfortunately, because of my physical condition, I wasn't able to make the most of them," he admitted, "I'm happy to be racing at Misano, my team's home circuit, but I'm just disappointed I won't be at full fitness because I'd like to pay my team back with a top result.
