SMR Performance rider Ian Hutchinson has been back on track for the first time since the British Supersport accident at Silverstone that broke his left leg so badly he was forced to watch from the sidelines all year, missing the 2011 TT Races after his historic five victories in 2010.

The eight-time Isle of Man TT winner rode a Swan Yamaha R1 with a specially constructed gear-shift system, which allows the him to use a right foot gear change. The system, built by SMR Performance, uses a shaft from the right side of the bike, which goes through the swingarm pivot and connects to a knuckle, which then joins the left-mounted quickshifter as usual. Hutchinson had no problem with it but had the left-mounted rear brake disconnected while he waits for a thumb-brake to be installed. Now that’s determination for you.

“I was so excited last night, I couldn’t sleep and I was watching the footage from Le Mans at gone midnight. Being on the track felt surprisingly good to be honest. It’s a bit strange but after a couple of laps you’re soon back into it,” said Hutchinson.

“It wasn’t like I expected to be missing apexes or anything like that and you don’t forget what you’ve spent all that time learning. Obviously, I’m not pushing hard and getting on the throttle early but I’ve got some good lines and really enjoying being back out there.

The gearbox is quite easy actually, it’s still in race-shift and I’ve not got it wrong yet but I did go for the back brake over the mountain but then remembered it isn’t there. I need to get a thumb brake on it as I am used to that on a Superbike, which will stop me thinking about it.

“My leg feels really good, I’ve got another operation on it later this week to try and release some scar tissue to get my ankle working again. I’m still having physio but it’s looking good for Macau in November. We will swap the gearshift back if the operation is a success but I’m not going to stop racing because I have to use the right side to change gears.”

Go Hutchy!

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Dr. Roberto Buzzi, head of Trauma at the CTO Careggi (Centro Traumatologico Ortopedico) in Florence, Italy, made the following statement about Valentino Rossi today:

“Today Valentino underwent another small operation to close the wound, which is looking good. We closed it with 15 stitches and our overall medical judgement is positive. We used a short general anaesthetic and when he woke up he was in good shape. The healing process of the injury is going well and as expected in Valentino’s condition.”

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Vale is at the Centro Traumatologico Ortopedico in Florence following his horrific highside and awkward landing during practice yesterday, which is likely to see him out of the championship for at least four months.

The official MotoGP website reports:

“Valentino is recovering well following yesterday’s operation and his morale seems to be high in the circumstances. Tomorrow we will wash and stitch the wound. He has been moved to a more normal room in the hospital and the only requests he has made are for peace and quiet, privacy and a television on which to watch today’s race!”

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The press statement in full:

“Valentino Rossi has suffered a displaced and exposed fracture of his right tibia after crashing in practice for the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello this morning. The reigning World Champion crashed his Fiat Yamaha M1 at turn thirteen, the fast chicane at the top of the hill, and was taken immediately to the circuit Medical Centre for x-rays. Further information will be made public as soon as a more detailed examination has been completed. Rossi will not take any further part in this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.”

Vale has already been operated on, and the surgeon described is as a very ‘ugly’ fracture. The most optimistic estimates suggest he could be back within three months – but others suggest that a return within 2010 is highly unlikely.

Could this be the end of Rossi’s career? You have to wonder how strong his motivation will be for a return this year, or in 2011.

See more from the BBC here, and from the Yamaha Racing website here.

Get well soon Vale.

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