De Puniet aims to be back for Brno

The LCR Honda rider was hit by the bike of Mika Kallio after he fell during the German Grand Prix.

The impact broke de Puniet's left leg and doctors have told the French rider will need around six weeks to recover, although he said he is hoping to miss just one race and return for Brno in August.

He underwent a two-hour operation on Sunday and has now a big titanium rod in his leg to support the fracture.

He will leave the hospital tomorrow to start his recovery period with the Clinica Mobile Staff.

"As riders we always risk crashing and breaking something, but it's always when you are not thinking about crashing that you do," said de Puniet.

"After the crash when Kalio involuntarily hit my leg I immediately understood that I had a serious problem. But the surgery went very well and now I am feeling better.

"I want to thank Doctor Costa and all the medical staff here for the good job they did. They say that I need six weeks recovery period to start racing again but I will try my best to be back in Brno."

De Puniet will be replaced by American Roger Hayden, the younger brother of Ducati rider Nicky.

"First of all I want to wish Randy a speedy recovery," said Hayden. "It's never nice to see another rider on the sidelines due to injury. I'm very happy that LCR has choice me to fill in for Randy this weekend at Laguna Seca. It is a track I like a lot and I hope to do a good job for the Team and for all the American fans.

"I want to thank team Pedercini for giving me the okay, and everyone else involved to make this great opportunity happening".