Byrne out for 2004

Shane Byrne says he’s “absolutely gutted” after being ruled out of the rest of the 2004 MotoGP world championship.

The 2003 British superbike champion is due to fly to Italy for corrective surgery on Wednesday after learning the right wrist he injured at last month’s Czech Republic GP is badly broken.

Shakey visited GP doctor Claudio Costa on Saturday in Imola where it was confirmed his scaphoid bone is broken. He has also suffered serious ligament damage.

The Aprilia rider will need to be in a cast for between three and five weeks, which rules him out of the Qatar, Sepang, Phillip Island and Valencia races.

Full story in this week’s MCN, out September 29. Have Your Say, here.