Melandri returns home for further checks
After his heavy crash in Sunday's first race at Portimão and preliminary examinations at the local hospital, Marco Melandri returned home to Italy on Monday. During the last few days he has undergone further medical examinations. These checks confirmed the good news that Marco has no internal injuries. But they showed that in addition to the painful contusions he suffered on his back, the Italian cracked the tenth and 12th ribs on the right side of his chest when he was hit by another bike while lying on the tarmac after his fall in the beginning of the race.
Marco will now rest over the forthcoming days before heading to Magny-Cours, where the final round of the championship will be held. According to the team's doctor, Dr. Vincenzo Tota, the injuries will not prevent him from taking part in the last races of the season.
"After Sunday's crash I feel better day by day although my back and right side still feel sore," Marco says. "When I watched my crash on TV, it really looked confusing. I do not want people to think that I wasted the races for nothing. Actually when I was on the bike, it was simply impossible for me to do any different, as I did not see Max. I really hope to be fit for the final races in Magny-Cours. I simply want to jump on my S 1000 RR, have some fun and finish the races in the best possible way and position."
