Pedrosa gets metal

From Repsol Honda

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa underwent surgery yesterday in Barcelona to fix the right hand injury he suffered when he crashed at Sepang on Tuesday.

The Spaniard was diagnosed to have suffered a fracture in the second metacarpal and three diaphysary fragments, the bones in the middle section of the metacarpian. The operation, which fixed the damage with a titanium plate and seven screws, was carried out by Dr Xavier Mir at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus.

The usual recovery period for such an injury is six weeks, but Dr. Mir believes Pedrosa should be able to return to riding sooner than that, if all goes well with his recuperation.

Teammate Nicky Hayden resumes testing at Phillip Island, Australia next week, Jan. 30-Feb. 1.