From a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Byrne withdraws from French MotoGP

British rider Shane Byrne has been forced to withdraw from tomorrow’s French MotoGP in Le Mans.

The MS Aprilia Racing rider is still suffering severe pain from a broken bone in his right hand after a crash at the Spanish GP in Jerez 13 days ago. After consultation with GP doctor Claudio Costa and Aprilia’s management, it was decided that the 27-year-old would take no further part at the Bugatti circuit after this morning’s free practice session.

Shakey had bravely tried to ride through the pain yesterday and again in this morning’s free practice session after he’d received intensive physiotherapy and pain-killing injections. But the broken hand was restricting his riding too much, and he has decided to sit out tomorrow’s 28-lap race in order to try and regain full fitness before Aprilia’s home race at the Mugello circuit in Italy on June 6.

“I just can’t ride the bike like I want. At best, I’m riding at only 80 per cent of my potential and it is best that I try and make a full recovery for Mugello, which is an important race for me and Aprilia, “said the reigning British superbike champion.

Byrne will visit Italy next week for further consultations with Dr Costa to help the recovery process. Aprilia’s Jan Witteveen said: “We thought that it was better for Shane to stop now and have more treatment so that he is back to his best for the Mugello GP.”