Melandri to clear up fitness doubts on Thursday

Currently placed seventh in the general standings after six races, Marco Melandri will be in the hunt for more good points at the Alice TT Assen, arriving in the paddock on Wednesday not overly concerned by the knocks he took at the Catalunya circuit at the beginning of last week – but stating he will need to test the condition of his right hand in free practice.

The Italian star crashed his Hayate Racing Kawasaki machine right at the end of the day in the Monday post-race Barcelona test, sustaining wrist and ankle blows, but other than some bruising and swelling the injuries were not serious and he is close to full fitness for round seven.

Speaking to motogp.com, Melandri commented, “I’m quite good actually. The crash was pretty bad, pretty tough, but the ankle was bad because of an old injury and after three or four days it was good again. The hand is not too bad, but until I ride I’m not sure because I have some pain there, it is my right hand and there are a lot of right hand corners at this track. It is going to be tough, but we will do some work with Clinica Mobile and I feel confident.”

Having ridden a Lorenzo Pasolini 1968 Benelli replica at the MotorDreamEvenTT at the TT Museum next to the Assen circuit, Melandri stated, “It was nice because I have only seen this type of bike in pictures or old films. It thought it would be more difficult but it was ok! This was a good experience and it will be nice to put up the pictures of the event on the wall in my house!”