No hand injuries for Hopkins
John Hopkins' hopes of an early return to MotoGP action have been boosted after medical examinations confirmed that the American did escape serious injuries to his hands in his testing crash last week
The Rizla Suzuki rider broke his second toe in a crash on the final day of testing in Qatar last week, and there were fears that he may have suffered a fractured hand too because of severe swelling that appeared at the time.
But after being seen by an orthopaedic specialist in England, Hopkins has been told that he has no fractures in his hand - although he does have sprains, bumps and bruises.
He will now undergo intensive physiotherapy this week with his team's physio Dean Miller and will then fly out to Jerez for this week's official MotoGP test - although it is not decided yet whether he will be fit enough to ride.
The team will not let him test if there is any chance that it could compromise his chances of racing in the season opener at Qatar next month.
"The fracture to the right second toe is confirmed," said Miller. "John saw an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in wrist and hand injuries and further evaluative X-rays were negative for any additional complications.
"The bumps and bruises and the sprain/strain injuries to the soft tissue areas of the hands, wrists, arms and overall body are of some concern. John will rest and recuperate over the next few days and join the Team in Jerez this week.
"We do not know as yet whether he will be fit to ride in the test because the main aim of John, Suzuki and myself is that he will be 100% fit for the first round of the season at Qatar next month."
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