Toni Elias in fitness fight for first Moto2 race

Pre-season favourite Toni Elias is facing a race to be fit for the inaugural Moto2 world championship clash in Qatar next month.

The Spaniard is due to undergo surgery today (Tuesday) in Barcelona after he ended a busy winter testing schedule with a heavy crash on the final day in Jerez.

Elias, who ended the test with the second quickest time, suffered small broken bones in his left hand and foot when he had to take evasive action to avoid clashing with a slower 125 rider in Jerez.

The MotoGP winner, who will ride a Moriwaki chassis for the Gresini squad, is confident he will be fit for the first Moto2 race in Qatar on April 11.

The Moto2 series features a 125bhp Honda 600cc four-stroke motor based on the CBR600RR and replaces the old two-stroke 250GP world championship.