Jezza to ride in Qatar

British hardman Jeremy McWilliams will try and ride the new Ilmor 800cc bike in next week’s Qatar IRTA test – just four days after undergoing surgery to remove a screw from his left leg.

The 42-year-old is to have an operation in Belfast tomorrow (Friday) to remove one of two screws in his left knee, and providing there are no adverse affects.

He will fly to the Middle East on Sunday and ride on the first day of testing on Tuesday (February 13, 2007).

McWilliams has been sidelined since the end of November when a 120mph crash in Jerez left him with multiple injuries – the most severe being a broken left femur.

Complications after an initial operation to pin the femur in Spain meant he needed more surgery shortly before Christmas in Belfast, and he only walked unaided without crutches for the first time in two months today.

But McWilliams said: “The doctors are confident I’ll be able to ride and I’m sure I can.

“I won’t be much riding but I’ll just be trying to help out as much as I can because it seems we were struggling in Sepang. I need one of the screws moving because that is where I’ll need the movement when I’m riding.

“Walking today wasn’t easy but I haven’t used the muscles in my leg for two months after I needed another operation. It was difficult and I was walking a bit lop-sided but I’m going to ride.”

Although he will be nowhere near 100 per cent fitness, the Ilmor team need all the help they can get after Andrew Pitt endured a torrid three days in Malaysia this week.

He was over five seconds off the pace and McWilliams said: “Hopefully this new engine will be in Qatar. We have been waiting for this with baited breath.

“It’s supposed to be in line with what myself and Andrew have been asking for, so I’m keen to try it out.”

New Ilmor team manager Mike Janes told motorcyclenews.com at the recent Sepang test McWilliams should be fit for the Doha showdown, which is the penultimate test of the winter before the opening race on March 10.

Janes said: “His goal is to be in Qatar. We are working towards him being there. His doctor said he can start putting weight on his leg now but he won’t be fully fit.

“But we will be doing all we can to get him back on a bike and get some laps under his belt.”