Casey Stoner begins recovery after successful ankle surgery

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner has started his recovery after undergoing successful surgery on the right ankle he seriously injured in a high speed qualifying crash in Indianapolis 12 days ago.

Stoner underwent surgery at Sydney’s North Shore Private Hospital and he is already commencing his rehabilitation at home.

A statement issued by HRC this morning made no mention of a possible return date for the 26-year-old, who is hopeful of being able to return to MotoGP in time for his farewell appearance on home soil at Phillip Island at the end of October.

Stoner rode to a heroic and courageous fourth place at Indianapolis but had to withdraw from last weekend’s Brno race in the Czech Republic as the full extent of the damage to his right ankle became apparent.

The double MotoGP world champion flew home to Australia for surgery with the Indianapolis accident ruining his hopes of retiring at the end of 2012 with a third world title.

The HRC statement read: “Today in Australia, Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner received surgery to his ankle, which was damaged after his crash in qualifying for the Indianapolis GP 12 days ago. The procedure was performed by Dr. Lam’s team in Sydney’s North Shore Private Hospital. Doctors are pleased with how the operation went, and now must wait during this initial recuperation period to see how the ankle is healing. With no complications or need for Casey to stay in hospital, he has returned home and HRC will endeavour to share information on Casey’s recovery as it is known.”

Stoner’s heroic performance in Indianapolis drew widespread praise in the MotoGP paddock in Brno last weekend.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Andrea Dovizioso battled with his former factory Honda team-mate for third for most of the race in Indianapolis and the Italian told MCN: “What I understand about his injuries is something really bad. And I think only Casey can make that race and that result and he has big b***s to do this. I think nobody can race in Indy like he did and I think he made a good decision to stop now.”

Stoner’s crew chief Cristian Gabbarini was also full of admiration for his determination to keep his world title hopes on track and he told MCN: “I think it was almost impossible to do a race like Casey did in Indy. I spoke to another rider and he said that he never saw a rider do something like Casey did on the bike and try to compensate for something that is missing because of his injury. Casey did some movements on the bike that in my opinion was impossible for a human being to do, so and at the end he gave up only a few laps from the end. For Casey to take a risk to have podium in this condition, I have no words for this. I checked the data and it was impossible for Casey to use the rear brake. He tried but from the first lap but it was more and more difficult.”