After the terrible incident that last Sunday on the Catalan track of Montemelò involved 6 riders, Marco Melandri’s physical conditions are improving and this morning he left the General Hospital of Catalunya in Sant Cugat (Barcelona) where he underwent treatment and CAT scans and was treated for a dislocation of the acromion-clavicular and mild concussion. Strong and determined, Marco left the Hospital this morning and together with Doctor Claudio Costa from Clinica Mobile, he took a flight to Amsterdam and then reached Assen by train. Marco’s neck still hurts a lot but the young Italian rider hopes to go back on track, if possible already in Assen. The Fortuna Honda rider is optimistic. At the moment his participation to the Dutch TT is still uncertain. The decision will be taken only on spot after the medical check. MARCO MELANDRI: “Thanks to the therapies I feel better. I’m recovering and yesterday I could make a short walk. This morning Doctor Costa of Clinica Mobile has reached me in Barcelona and together we flew to Amsterdam and then to Assen by train. My neck hurts a lot and I think this will be the main problem. Anyway the final decision will be taken later on before the first day of practices. I have seen the layout of the modified track in Assen, they have changed the most technical and difficult part, so in this moment this can be positive for my current physical conditions.” Also Marco’ team-mate, the Spaniare Toni Elias looks forward to race in Assen. Toni hopes to solve the problems he is suffering in the last races and to start to conquer some good results. TONI ELIAS: “Assen is one of my favourite track, it’s technical, fast and demanding. I hope to make a good race there and do a real step forward. I still cannot drive as I would like to as I need to improve my feeling with the rear and find the traction we need. I really look forward to race at the Dutch TT. I hope that the changes at the North Loop haven’t changed too much the beauty of this track. But before arriving to Assen, I’d like to wish Marco, my team mate a prompt recovery.” DUTCH TT- THE TRACK Built :1955 Modified: 2006 Length: 4.555 m Width : 10-14 m Pole position:left Right turns:6 Left turns :11 Longest straight: 560 m RECORD: track Record: modified track pole position: 2005 Rossi (Yamaha) 1’58″936 2005 race: 1° Rossi (Yamaha), 2° Melandri (Honda), 3° Edwards (Yamaha)