Vermeulen to Undergo Knee Surgery, 6 Months Out

If Chris Vermeulen decided to sit out the remaining 4 rounds of the World Superbike season in 2010 due to his knee injury he sustained at Brno, his doctors now made it official and further added to his inactivity period this year. On Wednesday, it was reported that the Australian rider will undergo keyhole surgery on his knee this week and, if all goes well, he'll go into recuperation mode for the next 6 months.

Vermeulen's first troubles started in the very season opening round at Phillip Island, when he crashed his Kawasaki in front of his home crowd and damaged his knee. He then sit out two rounds in order to recover from that injury and made his season comeback at Assen. Months later however, while in the process of healing his knee, he sustained another crash in the Czech Republic race at Brno – less than 2 weeks ago – which put an end to his season.

“The decision to sit out of the remainder of the 2010 race and test season was a mutual one from both me and the team. It is only too apparent that I have not been able to recuperate from my right knee injury sustained at Phillip Island and the crash in Brno further set me back,” confirmed Vermeulen.

His medical staff informed Vermeulen that he should be able to walk on his own in a week time, but a full recovery period should take up to 6 months. Under the circumstances, he will focus entirely on getting better and on the upcoming 2011 season, which he'll tackle in the same saddle of his current Kawasaki bike.

“I have sought expert medical advice in Barcelona this week where the specialists have advised I have key-hole surgery to clean-up the damaged ligaments. I have been informed that I will be able to walk soon after but I'll have to undergo extensive physiotherapy for at least two months so we will be based in Andorra for the time being!” concluded Vermeulen.