Locatelli undergoes successful facial surgery

UPDATE Roberto Locatelli has been moved out of intensive care at the Bellaria hospital in Bologna according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. Daniele Bandiera, general director of the Piaggo group which owns Gilera, said: "The news coming from Bologna is encouraging, Roberto is already talking about going back to racing. We are with Roberto and we are happy he will spend Easter at home. Things are going in the right direction."

04/03/07 In excellent news from the Bellaria Hospital in Bologna, an operation on the facial fractures suffered by former 125cc World Champion Roberto Locatelli at Jerez was successfully performed yesterday. The Metis Gilera 250cc rider’s surgery was conducted by Doctor Cocchi, an expert in such procedures.

Although MotoGP riders may seem to be ruthless competitors, away from the track there is a strong bond between those who fight for victory on Sunday afternoons. Aside from public displays of well-wishing at the Gran Premio bwin.com de España immediately after the race from riders such as Jorge Lorenzo, Marco Melandri, Alex Debon and Marco Simoncelli, this week World Champion Nicky Hayden also passed on his regards to the popular Italian and former MotoGP star Max Biaggi displayed a “Get well soon" message on the grid before race one of the World Superbike round at Donington.

Locatelli’s countryman Andrea Dovizioso was able to support his friend in person yesterday, visiting ‘Loca’ before his operation. The veteran rider is now able to breathe without assistance and is able to speak, although he does not remember anything about the accident at Jerez.