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SUPERB DISPLAY FROM MARCO MELANDRI WHO CLAIMS SEVENTH
ON GRID JUST DAYS AFTER HIS SERIOUS ACCIDENT
His team-mate Toni Elias begins a physiotherapy programme
today
FORTUNA HONDA rider Marco Melandri, still troubled by pain
after his serious crash at Catalunya just a week ago, finished
the second day of qualifying for the Dutch GP at Assen in
fine style.
The Italian is still suffering pain in his neck and back,
but finished seventh in qualifying and will now start Saturday's
race on the third row of the grid. The result demonstrates,
once again, the great spirit and determination of the FORTUNA
HONDA rider who was back on his bike just four days after
his accident.
His team-mate Toni Elias, who returned to Barcelona late
last night after a fall in the morning free session yesterday,
underwent a scan which confirmed he had fractured a bone,
although without damaging the surrounding muscles and tendons.
The early diagnosis is a fracture of his left humerus, Doctor
Mir has ruled out surgery to correct it but revealed Elias
faced an intense programme of physiotherapy.
MARCO MELANDRI (7th - 1'37.332): "I
am happy with my performance, just to be on the grid tomorrow
is a success for me. Considering the situation, the seventh
place tastes like a victory. Today I did not complete too
many laps because I still have a lot of pain in my neck and
both shoulders. The race will be very difficult and I don't
know if I'll be able to manage 26 laps because i don't have
enough strength, but I'll try to get a good start and see
how we go. I want to thank the Clinica Mobile, and also the
hospital in Catalunya who have showed great professionalism
at every moment with me."
QUALIFYING PRACTICE
1. J.Hopkins (USA/Suzuki) 1'36"411
2. S.Nakano (Jap/Kawasaki) 1'36"424
3. C.Edwards (Usa/Yamaha) 1' 36"755
7. M.MELANDRI (Ita/Honda) 1'37"332
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