News 25 Mar 2011

Vermeulen has no expectations ahead of WSBK comeback

Aussie WSBK star Chris Vermeulen is on track to make his long awaited return to racing this weekend.

Aussie WSBK star Chris Vermeulen is on track to make his long awaited return to racing this weekend.

Queensland’s Chris Vermeulen says he has no expectations ahead of his World Superbike comeback this weekend at Donington Park in the UK.

Vermeulen returned to riding in Spain on Monday and then on Wednesday at Cadwell Park in England, to determine whether or not he could ride at Donington.

The intention now is that Chris will ride as much as he is able to this weekend, including race day if his knee injury allows.

“I will ride to use this weekend but almost as a test at first. From my doctor’s point of view I am improving well, but I should just be increasing my riding step-by-step,” Vermeulen said. “I rode yesterday at Cadwell Park in England, did about 30 laps in total on the Ninja ZX-10R, and it felt really good.

“My speed was okay but I was not going to break any lap records. My knee started to swell up afterwards so we rested it up.

“We have decided to ride this weekend but to look at it as a test, not only for my knee but to get some information on the bike, to ride the new generation Pirellis and just get out there on track and see how it goes.

“If it goes well we will race, but at this stage races may be quite difficult.”

Vermeulen will then take part in the full weekend of racing at the next round at Assen on April 17, and should be back to his competitive best at the Monza round, on 8 May.

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