Had my second physio session since the operation today.  My physio guy is very happy. Over 95 degrees of movement now (more than what I had before they took the wire and screws out) and more mobility in the rest of the leg. he’s also pleased with the recuperation of the muscle on the front of the thigh, there being greatly increased strength there over when he tested last time.

However, the last few days have been very trying as I have been in a lot more pain than I have experienced for quite some time, mostly just above the knee. I’ve been kidding myself that this means that the femur is sliding down the rod and joining up. Well, today, the physio guy confirmed that the pain I am experiencing IS associated with bone healing, so my perception could be correct.

Unfortunately, he also did a fair bit of manipulation of the kneecap and the muscles in the upper leg and, while it needs to be done, the pain that it caused and which has lingered on has been some of the worse that I’ve experienced for months. Back to popping pain-killers every four hours; thought I was past that, grrr.

Away from my troubles, the Marc/VDS Team tested at Brno yesterday with Damian Cudlin shouldering the majority of the riding duties and declaring that the test achieved more than all the other tests done put together so far. The team is getting a clear technological jump on any other teams planning to take part in the 1000cc formula next year. Let’s hope that they remember who did all the hard work when it comes time to hand out contracts.

Speaking of testing, Ducati are going to Mugello tomorrow to test both the GP11 and the GP12. The track has been resurfaced sine Rossi’s dramatic accident last year so the test should provide a good barometer as to whether they have got a handle on the Ducati’s legendary front end issues.

One of my good FB mates (and a long-standing Canberra identity, especially amongst the Green fraternity) is coming down on Sunday to pick up the Shadowfax engine (I hope he’s strong) and take it back to the ACT for a rebuild. This is the very first step towards putting the bike back together. Everything so far has been dis-assembly, so this is an exciting time.

In connection with my article yesterday about Chris Vermeulen, some O/S web sites are now openly suggesting what some of us have been thinking but haven’t been game to say. Has CV raced his last race? It does seem that his time at Kawasaki has been as jinxed, but for different reasons as his troubled times at Suzuki. If CV does decide to hang it up, forced by injury, it will be a tragedy. Earmarked by me (and many others) as a future World Champion, Chris’s career seems to have been punctuated by bad decisions and/or  poor choices. I really do wonder, as I’ve said many times before, if he is regretting leaving Honda WSBK when he did when all he had to do was wait there one more year, probably win the championship, and then reap the reward for his efforts of a Honda MotoGp ride instead. Hindsight is always 20/20, of course, but I said at the time that it was the wrong decision and time is, unfortunately, proving me right.

“Suzuki’s MotoGP future will be decided by the end of June after bosses held crunch talks in Japan recently.

MotoGP boss Paul Denning made a whirlwind one-day visit to the Hamamatsu factory prior to the recent Estoril MotoGP round to discuss Suzuki’s participation in the new 1000cc class next season.

Suzuki blamed the on-going impact of the global financial crisis for its decision to cut its factory involvement down to just one GSV-R in 2011 and speculation has been rife about its future plans ever since.

Many thought the project being scaled back to one bike for Alvaro Bautista was the first step to a complete withdrawal at the end of 2011, but Denning told MCN: “I would say that the meetings were positive with no conclusions as yet. Suzuki’s internal process for the project is up for approval by the end of June, but the meeting gave a good platform to discuss options and ideas of how we move forward.

“I can’t speak directly on behalf of Suzuki Japan in terms of a final decision but I would say there is an optimistic atmosphere and a positive feeling that Suzuki want to remain in the championship.”

Denning said his recommendation to Suzuki senior management was for the factory to restore its involvement back to two bikes and he added: “That would certainly be, as it was for this year, the racing team’s preference and it would certainly be my huge recommendation.

“That was obviously discussed in Japan but ultimately there will be a decision based on more than my recommendations and more than what maybe sometimes makes sporting sense. There are other factors that weigh in. I believe that Suzuki will return to two riders without doubt, but the question is whether that is immediately or a couple of years down the line.”  ”

courtesy of MCN who, despite not always being the most accurate, do have more of a handle on what’s happening at the British end than most, and, since Rizla Suzuki is a British-based outfit, this is probably as accurate as it’s going to get at the moment.

Aussies overseas.

Alex Cudlin’s bike only lasted 30 minutes into the 2nd round of the EWC at Alabcete is Spain before the motor let go in a big way, ending their day. A pity because Cudlin’s lap times put him 5th overall and first of the Superstock bikes by a considerable margin.

Tonight sees the IDM back at Nurburgring with IDM regulars, defending champion Karl Muggeridge, defending Supersport champion Damian Cudlin as well as Gareth Jones (co-winner of the 2009 Six Hour and widlcard rider Troy Herfoss (Australian Supersport champion 2009). Up and coming 125cc rider, Jack Miller, will also be in action in the tiddlers race.

The North West 200 finished early with rain, a security alert, a huge oil spill and impending darkness bringing proceedings to a halt. Only the Supersport race was run with Aussie Cameron Donald finishing 2nd ahead of Kiwi, Bruce Anstey. Since organisers have to have permission in advance to close the public roads for the event, it looks like that will be all for the popular, but dangerous, Irish event.

Ryan Farquhar’s bike copped a stone in the oil cooler 2 laps into the Superbike race with the following result.

As is usually the case, the rider doesn’t know about this till the bike starts to get squirrelly or the engine lets go (as happened to Ryan) so the track was coated like this for about 2 miles. By the time it was cleaned up and the race re-started, it was still sheeting down rain and the riders pulled the pin. Can’t say that I blame them.