MoviStar Honda MotoGP rider Sete Gibernau is fighting back to fitness after returning home from Jerez with a muscular injury in his right shoulder, suffered as a consequence of the incident at the end of the race involving Valentino Rossi. Even though the initial medical report compiled by Josep Antón Gutiérrez suggested that his participation in the second round of the season was ‘doubtful’, Sete is confident that he will be back to full fitness in time for the first qualifying session of the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Gibernau yesterday underwent a full check on the shoulder, which has undergone surgery on two previous occasions, and was diagnosed with a capsular injury to the joint linking his upper arm and shoulder blade, affecting the tendon of his upper back muscle. According to Gutiérrez the injury requires: “rest and anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment, as well as functional rehabilitation.”

The rider is combining anti-inflammatories specific to tendon recuperation with two daily sessions of ultrasound in order to accelerate his recovery from an injury that, in normal circumstances, would require two weeks of treatment.

“I’m feeling very highly motivated for the next Grand Prix and all I’m thinking about is recovering as well as possible over the next three days in order to continue in the same vein that we have started the championship,” commented Sete. “It’s a shame there isn’t a spare week between the two races but I’m confident this will have a minimal effect on our work.”