Regis Laconi Update

Laconi, who was involved in an unusual incident during the warm-upsession in last Sunday's season-opener at Valencia, has undergonefurther checks on the injuries he received. On Sunday Regis was walkingback to the pits along the escape road at the first corner of theSpanish track after stopping with a technical problem, when theout-of-control bike of his fellow-countryman Stey hit him in the legs...

Despite the pain, Laconi, who was immediately assisted by the ClinicaMobile at the circuit, was able to start race 1 and finish fourth, aresult that showed the sheer tenacity of the French rider. Things didn'tgo the right way in race 2 however as Laconi was immediately forced outof the race after a contact with Okada.

The first medical report on the condition of Laconi was confirmed afterthe further checks that he has undertaken over the past few days. An MRIscan carried out at Aix-en-Provence and a specialist visit by hispersonal surgeon in Paris, confirmed an injury to the external ligamentof his left knee. The rider will have to undergo a two-monthrehabilitation period but an operation has been ruled out.

"I underwent a series of checks to get a more complete view of thesituation", said Regis Laconi. "The ligament injury gives me a fewproblems, but I will soon get over it. I have had a knee-guard made,similar to the ones used by motocross riders, which will allow me tomaintain the movements required to ride a bike. The guard will also stopthe knee from twisting which would prevent the ligament from joining andtherefore healing. I won't be 100% fit for the race at Kyalami, which isa very 'physical' circuit and which is where I tested during the winter.The guard will help me to ride well, but I can also count on my owndetermination. I'll just have to grit my teeth and ride over theproblem, like I did in Valencia".

Laconi will line up at the start in the Kyalami race and even though hewon't be totally fit, he is sure to do everything possible to confirmhis superb World Superbike championship debut. The French rider willalso be able to count on the maximum support offered by the ClinicaMobile which will follow him throughout the race weekend.