Injured Gresini pair still in pain

Melandri broke his ankle in a qualifying tumble at Laguna Seca in July, then damaged his neck at Brno four weeks ago and had to sit the weekend out, before suffering a massive crash in Saturday practice at Misano that put his participation in the race in doubt.

Elias missed three races after breaking his leg at Assen. Although he returned for Brno, he is still in a lot of discomfort, as is his teammate.

"I am waking every hour at night, having to move around for relief, but worst of all is sitting in a car or on a plane as my bum goes numb. It's okay when I'm riding a bike though," said Melandri.

The accident in Misano stunned onlookers with its violence, particularly when the Honda came within inches of leaping over the safety fence.

"In Misano the accident was big," the Italian admitted.

"When I was in the air flying for a second it felt like an hour. It gave me time to think that it was going to be pretty scary, you know, third crash in three races... but then I was on the floor and thinking that I was pretty lucky to be sliding rather than rolling. That would have been really bad."

Melandri remains optimistic about his Estoril chances - believing that a lack of straightline speed will be a bigger handicap than his injuries.

"Here this weekend I just hope to do better than last year," he said.

"It was Bridgestone's worst track last year but they've overcome much of that this year, but that doesn't help us not having enough power on the straight."

But Elias - who won in Portugal in 2006 - said his still-healing leg continues to hamper his performances.

"It's a little bit better, but the rehabilitation is very slow," he said.

"Now more or less I'm 80 per cent (fit) and this track is also very difficult for my leg. Sure, I will suffer, but I could finish the Brno race and the Misano race, every race a little bit better, and I hope this weekend to do better too."

Although he sat out the wet practice session at Misano, Elias said he would have no qualms about racing in the rain in Portugal.

"It's difficult because I feel pain, but also it depends on the situation," he said.

"I don't want to take risks. If the race was in wet conditions, sure I'd do it, but in free practice I don't want to take more risks. If this weekend there is some rain, I will try."