Bradley Smith recovering well from successful double surgery Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Bradley Smith returned to the UK yesterday (Thursday) to continue his recovery from successful left hand and wrist sugrery he underwent in Barcelona on Monday. Just over 24 hours after racing to a fantastic career first top six MotoGP finish at the Circuit de Catalunya, Smith had a 75-minute operation to insert a small screw in the left scaphoid bone he damaged in a heavy crash during practice for the Mugello round in Italy earlier this month. Smith also suffered a nasty open wound on his left little finger in the same accident, and during Monday’s operation at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus of Barcelona he also underwent a skin graft to repair the damage. A small section of skin was removed from his left forearm and the specialist team at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus of Barcelona are confident the skin graft was successful. The double procedure was carried out Dr Xavier Mir, Head of the Hand Surgery Unit of the Orthopaedics Department, who is world renowned for his treatment of racing injuries. Dr Mir is confident Smith will be able to compete in next weekend’s legendary Dutch TT at Assen with none of the pain and discomfort the 22-year-old raced with in Mugello and Catalunya. Smith will undergo a further assessment from Dr Mir when he arrives in Holland early week next but the British is now concentrating on building on the huge confidence gained from his maiden top six finish at Montmelo. Bradley Smith: “The double operation was a success and I can’t thank Dr Mir and his team enough. They have done a fantastic job and they told me that the wrist and finger surgery were both a success. Everything went as well as expected and now I am just resting my arm as much possible. The wrist shouldn’t give me any problems now hopefully but we need a few more days to see whether the skin graft has taken. Dr Mir seems happy though and I am sure it is going to be fine. I tried to race on without surgery but it wasn’t possible but I am glad it is done now because I can just concentrate on riding pain free. I’ll have an assessment when I get to Assen but 100% I will be riding there and I am really looking forward to it. The last two races have not been easy given my physical condition but the top six in Catalunya was great for my confidence and hopefully i can build on the momentum gained with another strong ride in Assen.”