Sete Gibernau Has Surgery, Will Miss Italian GP

The crash suffered by Spanish rider Sete Gibernau during last weekend's French Grand Prix, at Le Mans, ended up with a collarbone surgery underwent by the Spanish veteran at the Clinica Dexeus in his native Barcelona.

As reported by MotoGP's official site, the medical intervention was performed by Doctors Xavier Mir and Ignacio Ginebreda, as the Spaniard was fitted with a supportive plate onto his bone. He is yet to be released from hospital (during the course of today he'll be out), as he will continue his medical recovery at home.

As a result of the operation, Grupo Francisco Hernando team confirmed Gibernau will miss the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, scheduled next weekend at Mugello. However, the Spanish outfit is yet to make a decision whether they'll sit the Italian round out or replace Gibernau with another rider (as the Spaniard is part of team's sole-rider strategy for 2009).

However, Gibernau is in pole position to making it to the grid of his home race in Barcelona. As revealed by his doctors, the MotoGP returnee will be able to climb the bike for training in about four weeks, which is exactly the period of time in which the field will gather around for the Catalonian race.

This is Gibernau's first season inside the MotoGP after renouncing motorcycle racing back in 2006. He is currently 16th overall in the riders' standings, having scored 8 points in 4 races.