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MotoGP: Hector Barbera replaced by Toni Elias for US Grand Prix
Pramac Racing's Hector Barbera will miss Sunday's United States Grand Prix after breaking his left leg.
Hector Barbera“I have to think only about my injury and my rehabilitation”
The 25-year-old Spaniard suffered the injury on Saturday during a training mishap and is also likely to miss the Indianapolis Grand Prix on 19 August.
Barbera, who finished ninth in last weekend's Italian GP, underwent surgery on Sunday in Barcelona.
His place in California will be taken by fellow Spaniard Toni Elias, who rode for the Pramac Racing team in 2008.
"Obviously I'm disappointed about the incident," said Barbera. "It happened in the worst period possible.
"I had a great feeling both with my bike and with my crew.
"I could catch other brilliant results in the next round in Laguna Seca and Indy, but it's life and now I have to think only about my injury and my rehabilitation."
Pramac Racing's sole rider, who sits 11th in the overall World Championship standings, could return for the Czech Republic Grand Prix on 26 August according to Doctor Xavier Mir, who carried out the operation on Barbera's left tibia and fibula.
Dr Mir said: "It is difficult to say how long the post-surgery rehabilitation will take. We need to evaluate the progress of the patient, but I think that we can reasonably think that he will able to run a race in four or six weeks, according to his feedback."
Former Moto2 world champion Elias made his international racing debut in the 125cc World Championship in 2000, and took his first win in the Dutch TT at the Assen circuit.
He had been riding with the Aspar Racing team until last week when the association was ended by mutual consent.
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Comment number 8.
Drunken Hobo25th July 2012 - 0:22
"Likely to miss the Indianapolis Grand Prix on 19 August."
Sums up MotoGP riders pretty well there; a race less than a month after breaking his leg and he's only "likely" to miss it. Any sane person would definitely miss it, but then these guys can't really be described as "sane".
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Comment number 7.
cammysdad23rd July 2012 - 23:57
@mattgrindley there are several issues with that. Pramac may need the rider for two races so they will want somebody free for the next race. Secondly they need a rider with no contract. A rider's current employers are unlikely to let him race for another team and risk injury. Major sponsors may not want their riders riding for another sponsor simply for the appearance of things.
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Comment number 6.
Oily198423rd July 2012 - 11:33
Would love to see Scott on the Ducati for Laguna. It would give him a great opportunity but with sponsors and team rivalries I can't see it happening.
Other than that hope Hector comes back soon riding better than ever.
Link to this (Comment number 6)
Comment number 5.
Ninety9monkeyS23rd July 2012 - 10:57
I agree with you mattgrindley - give one of the moto2 lads a run out on it... Would be great to see Scott Redding on it!
Beside that all the best Hector.
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Comment number 4.
matt_pez23rd July 2012 - 10:03
That's a shame, after such a good qualifying performance last time out. Can one of the riders from Moto2 step up for this race, since they don't travel to Laguna Seca?
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Comments 5 of 8