SMETS FACES 6 MONTH LAY OFF
23 August 2005 - Suzuki Racing

After medical examinations in the town of Herentals, Belgium, Team Suzuki rider Joel Smets will have to wait until the end of the week to undergo surgery on his dislocated left knee.

The 36 year old Belgian has damaged the knee capsule and has fractured the top part of his tibia. Extensive swelling means that corrective surgery cannot be carried out until the weekend. The internal bleeding that caused the five times former World Champion to remain in a German hospital Saturday night after painfully cracking the joint during Free Practice at Gaildorf has been stemmed.

Smets, who was considering retirement after a glorious career -he is the rider with the most 500cc victories in the history of the sport - is looking at a six month recovery period before he can consider racing again.

It is a bitter blow for the popular veteran who could not finish his first season with the team due to a bacteria blood infection and broken anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

www.suzuki-racing.com

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