GSE boss plots personal road to recovery.

GSE Ducati team boss Colin Wright is to take an immediate two-week break from the team, after taking medical advice from his consultant at the Queens University Hospital in Nottingham.

The HM Plant team manager has been suffering from microscopic poly angiitis since the end of August. He has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment on a weekly basis in addition to a dosage of steroids and painkillers. Microscopic poly angiitis is a form of vasculitis which is extremely rare. There have only been 100,000 cases of the condition in the USA since it first came to light in the early Seventies. It affects the patient's blood vessels and in Wright's case it has had a damaging effect on his fingers and toes.

Fortunately, Wright is responding well to treatment and the healing process is already underway. His doctors are hoping that he will make a full recovery within six months and have already decreased the frequency of chemotherapy to fortnightly sessions for the next two months. In typical Colin Wright fashion, he is determined to make it back to his full-time, hands-on role with HM Plant Ducati for the 2003 Superbike World Championship.

"The past three months have been among the most difficult in my life," he admits, "However, now that my condition has been diagnosed, I can focus on the recovery process that lies ahead of me.

"The team at the hospital have been fantastic and I have to accept their advice. It's a case of short-term pain, long-term gain. Everyone reacts differently to this disease, but I am in good hands and I know that the best course of action is for me to take a break from the day-to-day running of the team."

GSE team principal Darrell Healey spoke on behalf of GSE Racing personnel, sponsors and fans in wishing Colin a speedy recovery.

"Everyone associated with HM Plant Ducati has been concerned about Colin's health since he was forced to miss Oschersleben in August," he said, "There is no doubt that we are going to miss him in the short-term, but that this brief sabbatical will be to his benefit in the long-term.

"However, GSE Racing will be able to continue with its preparations for the pre-season test schedule in his absence. Everyone knows what they have to do and the rest of the team will be able to shoulder the extra responsibility."