Edwards 'too big and too old to get upset'

"I just wanted to start, do a couple of laps and pull in. I only considered it because I was here in Barcelona and it seemed pointless breaking the streak" - Colin Edwards.

Peter McLaren

06 Jun 2011

Edwards get well note, Catalunya MotoGP 2011
© Gold and Goose

Colin Edwards was forced to watch from the pits as his uninterrupted run of MotoGP race start, since his 2003 debut, ended at Catalunya on Sunday.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider broke his right collarbone in a Friday afternoon practice accident, then had surgery - to insert a titanium plate and 13 screws - on Saturday.

Amazingly, Edwards then returned to the circuit on Sunday, and asked if he could start the race! The Texan wanted to complete a lap and then pull into the pits, but the 37-year-old was unsurprisingly declared unfit by medical staff.

"I'm a little bit disappointed with the decision not to let me ride because while it's not a lifelong ambition never to miss a MotoGP race, it was a run I was pretty proud of. I understand the decision but my shoulder feels great. Dr Xavier Mir has done an amazing job on my collarbone because it was smashed, but it was never my intention to do the full race.

"I just wanted to start, do a couple of laps and pull in. I only considered it because I was here in Barcelona and it seemed pointless breaking the streak. But I'm too big and too old to get upset and I'm going to rest up now and concentrate on getting ready for Silverstone."

There are only a few days until Friday practice for the British Grand Prix, but Edwards is confident he will have no problems participating at Silverstone.

"I know I can race next weekend and I'm already looking forward to it. I can't remember the last time I missed a race and I definitely don't like watching on TV, so I'm desperate to get back working with my Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew," he said.

"We are also looking forward to having Colin back in action at Silverstone," added team manager Herve Poncharal. "I can understand his desire to ride [at Catalunya] and at 37 with all he's achieved in his career, his determination and commitment is amazing.

"But we have to remember he was only operated on yesterday and he respects the decision of the medical staff. He will be stronger at Silverstone and it will be great to see Colin and Cal back on track together doing their best for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team."

Rookie team-mate Crutchlow finished seventh at Catalunya.