WORLD CHAMPION NICKY HAYDEN HAS SUCCESSFUL SHOULDER OPERATION

Repsol Honda World Champion Nicky Hayden underwent a successful operation on his injured right shoulder at the Freemont Clinic, California on Thursday. The surgery repaired an undisplaced fracture through the right greater tuberosity (shoulder bone), an injury sustained at the Grand Prix of Portugal this year.

During the procedure, performed by Dr Art Ting, some bone was shaved off the injured shoulder bone to encourage improved healing of the fracture, and the rotator cuff was repaired. At the same time the metal plate on the 25-year-old Americans right collarbone was replaced with a smaller plate. The metal plate, a legacy of a Supermoto crash in 2004, was bent at Estoril and scans on Wednesday showed that the fall had in fact re-fractured his previously broken collarbone.

The newly crowned World Champion is expected to wear a sling for two weeks following the successful operation but will be able to resume some cardiovascular training within a week. If his recovery goes to plan Haydens expected to be fully fit in time for the first MotoGP test of 2007 which begins at the Sepang circuit on January 22, 2007.

Speaking at the Freemont Clinic after the operation Nicky Hayden said: "I actually feel pretty good already. I'll be off bikes for a while but Aldon Baker, my trainer, is going to get me back doing some cardio work next week and I'm definitely looking forward to that. It's obviously been a great year all round and Im glad I've had the shoulder fixed because it means I can now begin to prepare for the defence of this title. I'd like to thank Dr Ting and the staff at Freemont, and all the fans who have given me great support this year.

See you all in 2007!

From HRC