Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Veteran Canadian racer Steve Crevier will return to the Diablo Suzuki team to contest the 2004 Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

“When you race you always want to improve and progress every year. Well, it’ll be easy to improve over last year,” joked Crevier in the pits Monday at the Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway. “The team’s new, and they learned a lot last year. They will definitely improve this year.”

Crevier is currently walking with his right leg in a splint and with the assistance of a cane. He explained that he had surgical screws removed from the leg late last year, which unknown to him left fairly large holes in the bones. When put under the stress of racing–and crashing–early in the 2003 season, cracks formed in the bones around the holes.

“I didn’t know it until the end of the season,” said Crevier. “So basically I rode around the whole season with a broken knee cap.”

Crevier said he will be cleared to ride again in January but will wait an extra month before training to be sure his leg is healed and because he has the time.

The Canadian Superbike series doesn’t start until late-spring.

Crevier and 2003 Canadian Superbike and Supersport Champion Pascal Picotte are at Daytona to participate in a photo shoot with riding gear sponsor Joe Rocket.