Laverty injury recovery progressing well, chasing Misano return

Eugene Laverty says he is doing all he can to ensure he returns to World Superbike Championship competition for Team Goeleven’s home round at Misano, but adds he is focused on ensuring he only does so at 100 per cent fitness.

The Irishman suffered injuries to both wrists in an accident during round five at Imola, Laverty undergoing surgery in Barcelona in an effort to speed up recovery, which was originally set at a six weeks' return, making him a question mark for Misano with a more likely return at Donington Park.

Giving an update on his condition, Laverty reveals the left wrist injury is ‘progressing well’ but the more complex strain of the right wrist is taking longer to heal.

“Sorry for the radio silence the past few weeks, I have been 100 per cent focused on my recovery and working towards my return to racing. Watching the race in Jerez at the weekend was very difficult and I felt sad not to be there racing for Team Go Eleven Ducati. I know how much potential there is with my Ducati V4 R and I just want the opportunity to showcase it, ideally in Misano.

“I’m doing everything possible in terms of rehabilitation to be ready for Misano but the clock is ticking. After my accident in Thailand last year my aim was to make my return at Donington Park but I actually made it back one round ahead of schedule.

“Again, this year Donington Park was a more realistic target but I’ve had Misano in my sights for two reasons: it’s my team’s home round and secondly it was my strongest round of the season last year.

“My left wrist has progressed well as it was a straightforward fracture of the radius and first metacarpal. The right wrist is a little more complicated with the fracture of the radius, ulna and scaphoid.

“Pronation and extension are quite limited and these are two key movements for the right wrist of a motorbike racer. I need to remind myself that most would still be in Plaster of Paris after four weeks so I can’t complain about having limited range of movement at this stage!

After skipping Jerez, Laverty says he is still eyeing the opportunity to get back out on the Ducati Panigale V4 R for Goeleven’s home event at Misano in just over a week’s time, but admits he needs more days to decided whether he will compete.

“I’m aiming to race within six weeks’ so it is a tall order but something that I have been 100 per cent focused on. As a racer I need targets and goals to help me to work day in, day out to speed up my recovery.

“Hands to a motorbike racer are like feet to a footballer, they are the money makers, therefore I have to be 100 per cent fit before I can come back to race. And that’s something that I will only know in one week’s time prior to Misano.”