Former British Superbike star and Suzuki MotoGP test rider Sylvain Guintoli will replace Joan Mir at this weekend’s Silverstone round as the young Spaniard is still not recovered from his Brno crash.
Guintoli, who lives just up the road from the Northamptonshire track, is currently assessing the Kymiring with other test riders but will fly back for an opportunity to race on his adopted home turf.
Mir suffered a severely-bruised lung in the Czech Republic crash and a new series of checks at the Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona, including a round of radiological tests, were carried out to determine the level of involvement of the afflicted lung.
Although the tests were positive and Mir’s general health is quite good, doctors, as a precaution, advised the rider not to hurry back whilst still in the recovery stages, and to instead start training normally to improve his physical condition and thus be able to attend the next Grand Prix in better physical condition.
Following an assessment of Mir’s physical situation, Dr. Angel Charte said: “After the tests we have done we detected some remaining residues in the lung, and for safety reasons we think the best thing is that he does not return yet, and he first recovers to 100 per cent.”
Mir said: “In the end I am not able to be in Silverstone for the next race and it is a real pity, but that’s how things are, and the first priority has to be my health.
“After the accident I spent several weeks resting, first in the hospital and then at home. I have started to walk, but after the tests it seems that I am still not 100 per cent, so the doctors have determined that it is better to continue with my rehabilitation.
“I will start doing some more training so I can get to the next race in better physical shape and not have to take too many risks. I would like to thank the people who are beside me and taking care of me, my Suzuki team for their concern and the thousands of fans who have encouraged me during all these days and who have shown me an enormous affection.”
