The opening weekend of the WSB season at Phillip Island was a monumental occasion for some, but for most, it was filled with close-up views of the pavement. The crashes at Phillip Island left some riders unable to finish the race, and could possible stop others from racing at Portugal.

Chris Vermuelen is awaiting a decision about surgery on his knee. The decision to operate would take him out of the running for Portugal, and possible for the rest of the season.

Roland Resch, who has just undergone collar bone surgery, is also unlikely to compete at Portiamo on March 26th-28th.

Resch, who is racing for the BMW Reitwagon team, is currently recovering from surgery on his right collar bone. The recovery is going well, but he may not be ready for the Portiamo race. His doctor, Andrea Dungl-Zauner doubts that he will be able to ride by March 26th.  His participation is not officially ruled out, as both Resch and his doctor wait to evaluate his condition on March 17th.

"Of course it hurts to hear that the doctor thinks I won't be on the bike in Portimao. But it doesn't make sense either to force an early comeback if I am not 100% fit. The collarbone is broken twice, with a titanium plate and eight screws inserted. That is a quite big deal for my body,” said Resch.  

“This year the grid is too competitive to start too early with a handicap. I want to fully recover before jumping on a bike again. Believe me, it's not easy to pass on a race, but I am working hard to be back soon."

Chris Vermuelen had a rough opening weekend at Phillip Island. The veteran rider took a nasty spill during race two at Phillip Island. The 200 Km/ph crash sent Vermuelen into a tire wall and damaged his knee.

Vermuelen, who has ten World Superbike race wins, is awaiting expert opinions, but is doubtful that his return to the WSB circuit will be in time for the Portugal races.

Currently, Vermuelen is waiting for doctors to decide if he needs to undergo surgery. If he has to undergo surgery, Vermuelen could be out for the rest of the season. If doctors give him the ok, he will have about two weeks to get himself healthy before the Portimao race in Portugal on March 26th-28th.

“If all goes well and there isn't too much movement in my knee from the torn ligaments, then he will leave it and – fingers crossed – I'll be ok for Portimao,” Vermuelen said in a video he posted on his website. “However, if the damage is still quite bad and not repairing well, he might want to go inside and fix it up.”

Vermuelen is a premiere racer and is part of an elite group of only 63 who have won a World Superbike race.