Simoncelli to miss first race of the year

Having ridden through the pain barrier in the first two 250cc free practices of the year at the Losail International Circuit on Friday and Saturday, Marco Simoncelli’s team have announced that due to his scaphoid injury he will not take part in Sunday’s first race of the year.

The 250cc World Champion tested his fitness in Qatar, having had surgery on Tuesday to insert a screw in his right wrist which he injured motocross training last weekend, but he is unfit to race.

The Italian rider commented, “I tried to get some laps in but I’m not confident enough to race. I was able to do a couple of fast laps but my hand quickly got sore and I can’t ride as I’d like. Now I’d prefer to not get back on track and race, because of the risk for the rest of the season. With an extra few days of rest I should be fit for the Japanese GP.”

Simoncelli will try to comeback in two weeks time at Motegi as he attempts to defend his title. The Metis Gilera rider won last season’s 250 title without scoring points at the opening two rounds of 2008.