Stefan Bradl hoping to start Phillip Island practice

German Stefan Bradl intends to start practice for this weekend’s Australian MotoGP race at Phillip Island on Friday, less than a week after breaking his right ankle in a crash in Malaysia.

The LCR Honda rider suffered a cruel injury blow in Sepang when his right ankle was broken in a Saturday FP4 crash after his foot inadvertently caught on a piece of trackside Astroturf that was dislodged by his RC213V in the first corner incident.

The 2011 Moto2 world champion had successful surgery on the ankle in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night and arrived in Melbourne earlier today (Wednesday) on crutches.

He fully intends to attempt to ride this weekend at Phillip Island but his participation is subject to him passing a medical tomorrow (Thursday).

Bradl flew to Australia overnight from Malaysia and underwent physiotherapy treatment while on the seven-and-a-half-hour flight.

Bradl planned to put weight on the damaged ankle for the first time today and he said: “I definitely want to try and ride on Friday to check how painful it is. I will not do anything stupid and if it is too painful or the swelling comes up I will withdraw. If I have to risk a lot to finish 15th it doesn’t make sense. I expect trouble in the right-handers because of the movement with the foot but the decision to make the operation to Kuala Lumpur was perfect.”