Catalunya MotoGP: Colin Edwards denied race start

Colin Edwards saw his record of never missing a MotoGP race in his career ended yesterday in Catalunya when he was banned from racing after failing a late medical check on his injured right shoulder.

The Texan shocked the paddock by declaring his intention to start the 25-lap race, just over 24 hours after he’d undergone successful surgery to insert a titanium plate and 13 screws to stabilise a broken right collarbone.

Edwards had crashed his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine during a rain-hit second practice session on Friday afternoon and broken his collarbone into seven pieces.

The injury seemed certain to rule Edwards out of the Catalunya race and this weekend’s British MotoGP race at Silverstone. But incredibly he wanted to start the Montmelo race to preserve his appearance record having made 141 successive starts in MotoGP since his debut for Aprilia in 2003.

But he failed a pre-race medical and said: “I’m a little bit disappointed with the decision not to let me ride because while it’s not a lifelong ambition never to miss a MotoGP race, it was a run I was pretty proud of. I understand the decision but my shoulder feels great. Dr Xavier Mir has done an amazing job on my collarbone because it was smashed, but it was never my intention to do the full race.

“I just wanted to start, do a couple of laps and pull in. I only considered it because I was here in Barcelona and it seemed pointless breaking the streak. I’m too big and too old to get upset, but I’m going to rest up now and concentrate on getting ready for Silverstone. I know I can race next weekend and I’m already looking forward to it. I can’t remember the last time I missed a race and I definitely don’t like watching on TV.”

For an exclusive interview with Edwards and a 24-page preview to the British Grand Prix, see the June 8 issue of MCN