Simoncelli doubtful for Qatar

From motogp.com

Defending 250cc World Champion Marco Simoncelli will miss this week’s testing action in Qatar – and could be forced to sit out the opening race of the 2009 season at the track - after fracturing his scaphoid in a motocross crash.

Simoncelli will undergo arthroscopic surgery on the break on Tuesday morning at a San Marino hospital, receiving a titanium screw implant in the appendage.

“I have a strong desire to ride at the first race of the season in Qatar. I will try all that I can to be able to ride my Gilera bike in the first free practice session on Friday,” Simoncelli said. “Of course, I will have to wait on the approval of the medical officers to be able to ride, but I hope to be able to do so.”