Dani Pedrosa to have further shoulder surgery

Dani Pedrosa is to have another operation later today on the broken right collarbone he suffered in a controversial collision with Marco Simoncelli at Le Mans last month.

The Spaniard has missed the last two races in Catalunya and Silverstone and speculation has been rife about his absence.

Pedrosa broke his right collarbone when he tangled with San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Simoncelli during last month’s French Grand Prix.

But his failure to return to action quickly has sparked a flood of rumours that he damaged the collarbone again in a supermoto training accident.

Earlier this week he said his participation in the forthcoming Assen MotoGP round in Holland was in doubt while he continues his recovery.

But Repsol Honda has issued a short statement saying that the triple world champion will undergo further surgery this afternoon.

If Pedrosa isn’t fit to race in Holland, then HRC has to replace him, with Hiroshi Aoyama expected to move from the San Carlo Gresini Honda squad to join Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso.

Test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi is expected to join Simoncelli in the Gresini squad.