Edwards Ruled Out Of Valencia

Cycle News Staff | October 28, 2011

Colin Edwards will miss next weekend’s MotoGP finale in Valencia, Spain, the Texan needing surgery on his injured left arm that will prevent him from taking part in his final race as a member of the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha team.

Edwards, who was involved in the three-rider incident in the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend that claimed the life of Marco Simoncelli, suffered multiple fractures to the top of the left humerus (upper arm) bone. Edwards also suffered severe bruising and swelling in both wrists and to his right heel in the crash, though X-rays showed there are no fractures. Edwards will undergo surgery on his arm on Tuesday, November 1 at the University General Hospital in Houston, Texas.

“Firstly, I want to thank everybody for all their messages of support since Sunday,” Edwards said in a team release. “The support and love has been overwhelming and it has been a great comfort to me at this difficult time. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Marco and I will miss him a lot, as will the entire MotoGP family.”Edwards watched Simoncelli’s funeral yesterday on the Internet with his wife Alyssia.”I watched Marco’s funeral yesterday and I really wish I could have been there,” the 37-year-old Texan said. “I wanted to go, but unfortunately my injuries meant I was unable to travel. I know Valentino [Rossi] spoke to Marco’s family on my behalf and I thank him for that. It was a great service and a fitting celebration of his life. I also wanted to be in Valencia next week to give my support to MotoGP, but it is not going to be possible because of the surgery I need on my left arm. The top of my left humerus bone has got multiple small fractures but the cartilage that is around the top of the bone has been pulled off. The surgery will anchor the cartilage back to the bone, but there is no nerve damage, so I should be 100 percent in about four weeks.”The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team is currently considering replacement options for the Valencia round and an announcement will be made at the earliest opportunity. AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes will be in Valencia as he’s slated to test the Tech 3 Yamaha M1 following the race.