Injured Kallio in doubt for Laguna

Date published : 28 Jun 2009 - 01:20:41

Mika Kallio's participation in next weekend's US Grand Prix is in doubt after the Finn sustained a severe finger injury on the final lap at Assen.The Pramac Ducati rider had battled through to sixth place, potentially his best MotoGP result yet, when he crashed three corners from the finish.His left hand became trapped under the bike as it slid along the ground, wearing the protective glove away and causing a severe contusion to his ring finger."So painful, an incredible pain in the same finger I have already injured during my first MotoGP test in Valencia, maybe better to cut it off!" said Kallio. "Jokes apart it's a pity given how the race was going. My mistake and I am really sorry for the Pramac racing team that has given me a really competitive bike today."Now I will have to check the situation of my hand back in Finland, but I'll do what's possible to race in Laguna Seca." Pramac technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini said it appeared the injury was not as bad as the team had initially feared."The thing that concerns us the most is his injury," he said. "At the beginning it seemed like a really bad injury, but thanks to Doctor [Claudio] Costa's treatment things have got better even if he is not sure to participate at Laguna Race."Tomorrow we will know more when he will have more medical checks in Finland. We are with him and we hope to have him back as soon as possible."Sterlacchini added that the team remained delighted with Kallio's performance despite the accident."We are proud of our rider," he said. "Mika has done an extraordinary race even if qualifying and the start of the race weren't the best."He has done a brilliant race until three turns from the end. We are sad about that mistake, but these things can happen in the racing world."