Laconi, who was involved in an unusual incident during the warm-up session in last Sunday's season-opener at Valencia, has undergone further checks on the injuries he received. On Sunday Regis was walking back to the pits along the escape road at the first corner of the Spanish track after stopping with a technical problem, when the out-of-control bike of his fellow-countryman Stey hit him in the legs. Despite the pain, Laconi, who was immediately assisted by the Clinica Mobile at the circuit, was able to start race 1 and finish fourth, a result that showed the sheer tenacity of the French rider. Things didn't go the right way in race 2 however as Laconi was immediately forced out of the race after a contact with Okada.

The first medical report on the condition of Laconi was confirmed after the further checks that he has undertaken over the past few days. An MRI scan carried out at Aix-en-Provence and a specialist visit by his personal surgeon in Paris, confirmed an injury to the external ligament of his left knee. The rider will have to undergo a two-month rehabilitation period but an operation has been ruled out. 

"I underwent a series of checks to get a more complete view of the situation", said Regis Laconi. "The ligament injury gives me a few problems, but I will soon get over it. I have had a knee-guard made, similar to the ones used by motocross riders, which will allow me to maintain the movements required to ride a bike. The guard will also stop the knee from twisting which would prevent the ligament from joining and therefore healing. I won't be 100% fit for the race at Kyalami, which is a very 'physical' circuit and which is where I tested during the winter. The guard will help me to ride well, but I can also count on my own determination. I'll just have to grit my teeth and ride over the problem, like I did in Valencia".

Laconi will line up at the start in the Kyalami race and even though he won't be totally fit, he is sure to do everything possible to confirm his superb World Superbike championship debut. The French rider will also be able to count on the maximum support offered by the Clinica Mobile which will follow him throughout the race weekend.