MELANDRI TRANSFORMS HIS FORTUNES TO QUALIFY 4th
Elias recovers well after the surgery
 Marco
Melandri narrowly missed out on a front row start for the
Dutch TT today after being edged out in the final seconds
of qualifying practice by Randy De Puniet, who snatched third
place by just 0.05 seconds. Series leader Casey Stoner was
second fastest as Chris Vermeulen took pole position on a
soaking wet track. Melandri, who struggled to find a good
pace in the dry morning practice, improved his feeling in
the wet this afternoon and was able to set a good pace. After
ending the day as the fastest Honda rider, the Gresini Honda
man is now confident for the race. The mystery factor remains
the weather, with local forecasts predicting rain for the
afternoon here at Assen.
Meanwhile, Melandri's team-mate Toni Elias began his recovery
from a broken left femur in the Wilhelmina hospital in Assen.
Surgery was completed yesterday by Dr Wiesmar in consultation
by telephone with the Clinica Mobile's Dr Costa and Barcelona
specialist Dr Xavier Mir. "Post-operation analysis has
confirmed the success of the operation," commented Costa.
"The femur bones have settled in well and Toni can now
start his programme of painkillers, anti-biotics and anti-clotting
medication." The Spaniard should be discharged tomorrow,
when he plans to fly home to Barcelona by a medical equipped
jet.
MARCO MELANDRI (4th, 1' 49"679): "We've
done a great job with the team to improve the feeling of the
bike in the wet and it allowed me to set a good pace. We are
in good shape for a wet race but we still have some work to
do in the dry so hopefully we get chance to do it in the warm-up.
The weather forecast isn't clear but just in case we don't
manage to sort the bike out for the dry then given the choice
right now I'd prefer rain."
TONI ELIAS: "I'm better although I
didn't sleep much last night because they had to wake me every
two hours to administer medicine. But I don't feel too bad
and I just can't wait to get home to Barcelona and start my
rehabilitation as soon as possible. I want to say thanks to
Doctor Costa and all the Clinica Mobile staff for their continuing
support."
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