Gibernau targets German return.

Injured Ducati Marlboro rider Sete Gibernau is aiming to return to MotoGP action at the German Grand Prix on July 16.

Gibernau broke his left collarbone in the horrific first turn accident at Barcelona, which also left team-mate Loris Capirossi and Fortuna Honda's Marco Melandri injured.

Sete's collarbone was plated in an operation at Barcelona's Dexeus hospital on June 20 and the latest x-rays suggest that the injury is healing well, so the Spaniard is already in training and hoping to return to action at the Sachsenring.

"I'm still aching but my head no longer hurts and the collarbone operation was a success," said the nine times 500cc/MotoGP race winner. "Before fixing the collarbone with a plate, the surgeons had to remove an old plate which affected my shoulder muscles. It still hurts but I am now training again. We are working in the swimming pool to get the shoulder muscles moving again and to make sure the wounds drain as quickly as possible. I want to get better quickly and get back on track with my team."

Gibernau is being replaced by Alex Hofmann while he recovers.