Chris Vermeulen has been optimistic about the condition of his knee, but he will not be racing at the 2011 World Superbike season opener at Phillip Island on February 27th. The Kawasaki Racing Team announced today that Vermeulen will not be participating in the upcoming testing session or the opening round of the World Superbike season.The good news is that after the Australia round, the World Superbike riders will have a month break before round two at Donnington Park. The Kawasaki racing team and Vermeulen have decided not to risk the condition of Vermeuelen’s recovering knee in Australia in order to make sure that he is 100% for the rest of the season.
“We decided as a team that the best thing was not race or test here at Phillip Island,” Vermeulen said. “It is unfortunate because it is my home round and I have gone through such a long recovery already. It would have been nice to start off the season fit and strong but we did not want to risk any further damage to my knee. Just as importantly, I am not fit enough to compete at the top level yet so it is better to not ride at the moment. My knee is improving and the recovery is going as planned, so hopefully by Donington I will be ready to race again. I have nearly five weeks from now to get ready for that round.”
Vermeulen has been testing with the World Superbike riders, but says that he still doesn’t have full mobility on his knee.
Akira Yanagawa will ride in Vermeulen’s place. The Kawasaki Racing Team will also have regular riders Tom Sykes and Joan Lascorz racing at Phillip Island.
Courtesy of AllAboutBikes.com
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