Bushiee46
12-04-2007, 20:19
Locatelli targets Le Mans return
http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9185&stc=1&d=1176405551
Roberto Locatelli hopes to be fit to return to the 250cc World Championship at the French Grand Prix in May – just seven weeks after a crash that almost ended his career.
The Gilera rider suffered horrific facial, ankle, collarbone and lung injuries when he crashed in practice at Jerez two weeks ago
But, just a week after coming out of a coma, and just a few days after returning home, the 32-year-old Italian, who remains under the observation of Moto GP medical delegate Dr Claudio Costa, said he was determined to race again as soon as possible, maybe even at next month's French Grand Prix.
Locatelli said: “I want to ride my motorbike as soon as possible. Doctor Costa told me that perhaps I'll be ready for the Italian GP at Mugello, at the beginning of June, but I hope I'll be able to return for the French GP in Le Mans, fifteen days before.
“You'll surely think I'm mad! Well, after all that happened, I think so, but the races are all of my life and, although my health state is now still precarious, I feel I'm recovering quickly.
“That's why I think that, with my physiotherapists' help, the Mobile Clinic, all the people's love, including my team, maybe I'll be able to get on my Gilera 250. I miss it!”
Locatelli's claims seem a little ambitious for a man who can neither walk properly nor speak yet.
But if he is to return at Le Mans, or more likely, at his home race in Mugello, it will still represent an amazing recovery.
“At the moment, however, my only purpose is to be able to stand because the fractures at my legs dont' let me do it yet,” he added.
“However, day by day, I realize I'm improving and my mood is better. But I'm not able to speak, or, I can communicate in a different way as I can open my mouth only a little bit. From this side everything will be better next week.”
http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9185&stc=1&d=1176405551
Roberto Locatelli hopes to be fit to return to the 250cc World Championship at the French Grand Prix in May – just seven weeks after a crash that almost ended his career.
The Gilera rider suffered horrific facial, ankle, collarbone and lung injuries when he crashed in practice at Jerez two weeks ago
But, just a week after coming out of a coma, and just a few days after returning home, the 32-year-old Italian, who remains under the observation of Moto GP medical delegate Dr Claudio Costa, said he was determined to race again as soon as possible, maybe even at next month's French Grand Prix.
Locatelli said: “I want to ride my motorbike as soon as possible. Doctor Costa told me that perhaps I'll be ready for the Italian GP at Mugello, at the beginning of June, but I hope I'll be able to return for the French GP in Le Mans, fifteen days before.
“You'll surely think I'm mad! Well, after all that happened, I think so, but the races are all of my life and, although my health state is now still precarious, I feel I'm recovering quickly.
“That's why I think that, with my physiotherapists' help, the Mobile Clinic, all the people's love, including my team, maybe I'll be able to get on my Gilera 250. I miss it!”
Locatelli's claims seem a little ambitious for a man who can neither walk properly nor speak yet.
But if he is to return at Le Mans, or more likely, at his home race in Mugello, it will still represent an amazing recovery.
“At the moment, however, my only purpose is to be able to stand because the fractures at my legs dont' let me do it yet,” he added.
“However, day by day, I realize I'm improving and my mood is better. But I'm not able to speak, or, I can communicate in a different way as I can open my mouth only a little bit. From this side everything will be better next week.”