Alvaro Bautista is eager to get back to racing. The Rizla Suzuki rider broke his left femur just 42 days ago, but Bautista could make a surprise return this weekend in Estoril.
Bautista has been undergoing intensive physiotherapy to get ready for the Portugal GP, but his return isn’t guaranteed. Bautista will have a full medical exam on Thursday before the Portugal GP to make sure that he is in competitive condition for the race.
If it is determined that Bautista can not compete in Estoril, the Rizla Suzuki team will have Factory test rider Nobuatsu Aoki ride in his place.
"I have been working very hard to be back in time for Estoril and I believe I will be able to take part in the race,” Bautista said. “I know it will be difficult, but I think the sooner I can get on the bike the more it will aid my total recovery and help my way to full fitness. I have travelled over 4,500km with many journeys to the hyperbaric chamber in Madrid to assist with my healing. I have been there so many times I could close my eyes and go without problems.
“I have now finished the rehabilitation phase and started on the physical preparation; this involves a lot of swimming, cycling and other fitness programmes to build up the strength so I can ride again. It is going to be really tough, but I am totally focused on being on the GSV-R in Portugal, it's all I can think about at the moment and that is my first goal. After that we'll see what happens and take everything one step at a time."
