The team announced today that in order to make sure Vermeulen is ready for the final official pre-season tests at Phillip Island on February 21 and 22, shortly before the first race on Sunday February 27, he will not come back to Europe for the official IMS tests at the end of January in Portimao.
“Chris rode on day one of the Sepang tests and was very impressed with the performance of the new bike. He has made great progress with his knee recently, and his recovery is well on schedule. After day one we all decided that he did not need to run on track any more at this stage and it was better for him to go home and carry on with his rehabilitation,” stated Team Manager Paul Risbridger.
"We also came to a consensus that there was no point in him coming all the way back to Europe for the Portimao tests, as it would just interrupt his overall recovery. Riding the bike is not assisting his recuperation at this stage, so Chris will carry on with his very effective programme of physiotherapy and exercise so that he is ready when it matters most, at the start of the new season,” added Risbridger.
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