From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ROBERTS REPLACED BY LAVILLA

Team Suzuki MotoGP rider Kenny Roberts has withdrawn from the Valencia GP as a result of continuing problems with the elbow injury that ruled him out of the last four races.

Roberts set fastest time in the morning free training session to head the table for his return race. But while he could set fast laps without difficulty, he was able to run only a few consecutive laps before weakness set in, causing him problems under the severe braking at the twisty Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Roberts was one of five innocent victims of a crashing Loris Capirossi at the first corner at the Japanese GP at Motegi on September 19, and the worst injured, with a dislocated left elbow and associated fractures.

The decision to withdraw Roberts and replace him with official team tester Gregorio Lavilla was taken by the team directly after the first session, both to safeguard Roberts’s long-term recovery and to give Lavilla a better chance of getting up to speed before the race on Sunday.

Roberts was bitterly disappointed. “This is an experience I’ve never had – coming to a race without knowing if I’d be strong enough. Considering where we’re at in the season, the circumstances dictated the decision to withdraw from the race.

“The concept was to try to get closer as the season ends, to get a better base for next year. But in the circumstances I was not able to do that,” the 2000 World Champion continued.

“The riding part this morning was the same as normal. The arm feels good and pain free, but after four or five laps, I didn’t have the strength necessary to control the bike. You don’t recognise how much strength you need, especially under braking until you don’t have it. Ten days ago, I hadn’t even done a push-up. I started then with gym training but time wasn’t on our side,” said Roberts.

“It’s also disappointing because it is Garry Taylor’s last race and I would have liked to participate,” he added.

Team manager Taylor, who is retiring after this final race of 2004, said: “Kenny reminded us this morning of how fast he can be when he’s fully fit. But despite Herculean efforts to get ready for this race, he found he was lacking the strength and endurance he needs to go race distance.

“The team took the decision to substitute Gregorio Lavilla for the remaining qualifying sessions and the race. There are safety considerations, as well as the need not to jeopardise Kenny’s long-term recovery. By making the decision early, it also gives Gregorio the chance to qualify and perform well in his home GP,” said Taylor.

Lavilla is the team’s regular test rider and raced two weeks ago in place of Roberts at Phillip Island in Australia.