After his heavy crash in Sunday’s first race at Portimão (POR) and preliminary examinations at the local hospital, BMW Motorrad factory rider Marco Melandri returned home to Italy on Monday. During the last few days he has undergone further medical examinations. These checks confirmed the good news that Marco has no internal injuries. But they showed that in addition to the painful contusions he suffered on his back, the Italian cracked the tenth and 12th ribs on the right side of his chest when he was hit by another bike while lying on the tarmac after his fall in the beginning of the race.

Marco will now rest over the forthcoming days before heading to Magny-Cours (FRA), where the final round of the 2012 FIM Superbike World Championship will be held from 5th to 7th October. According to the team’s doctor, Dr. Vincenzo Tota, the injuries will not prevent him from taking part in the last races of the season. The whole Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport wishes Marco a quick recovery.

“After Sunday’s crash I feel better day by day although my back and right side still feel sore,” Marco says. “When I watched my crash on TV, it really looked confusing. I do not want people to think that I wasted the races for nothing. Actually when I was on the bike, it was simply impossible for me to do any different, as I did not see Max. I really hope to be fit for the final races in Magny-Cours. I simply want to jump on my S 1000 RR, have some fun and finish the races in the best possible way and position.”

“The two ribs are not linked to the sternum, so they are not involved in breathing that much. Even if they are broken, it is not so painful,” explains Dr. Vincenzo Tota. “Another positive thing is that they are not misplaced. It is not a total fracture, but more a small crack. Marco now has to rest and avoid stress to the area. For the race weekend we will apply a taping to reduce the range of motion of the chest. Therefor it will not be painful and will be easy to handle.”

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