Checa withdraws from South African Grand Prix.

Marlboro Yamaha Team rider Carlos Checa has withdrawn from the South African Grand Prix that takes place this weekend at Welkom after injuring himself in a testing fall.

The Spanish star fell from his Supermotard training bike and injured a kidney last Thursday. The injury is not thought to be too serious, but Checa's doctor has advised him not to travel to South Africa. The team will not be replacing Checa who is expected to be fully fit in time for the Spanish Grand Prix that takes place from 4-6 May at Jerez.

Checa regularly rides the modified Yamaha YZ426F at the Can Padro track close to his family's home near Barcelona, and the 28-year-old was training there on Thursday when he fell. He visited his regular doctor immediately, who gave him a scan as a precaution and diagnosed a contusion to the kidney. After a further consultation this morning [Wednesday], he has decided to remain in Spain in order to be fully fit for the remainder of the season.

"I am so disappointed but this is the most sensible thing to do," Checa commented, "The irony is that I prefer to train on the Supermotard because it is less risky than riding motocross! The fall wasn't so bad but I must have hit my stomach on the bike as I went down.

"I was really looking forward to South Africa, as Japan was very disappointing for me. My preparation for this season has been excellent and I wanted to show that I am a serious contender for the championship. Now my season will have to start in Jerez, but for sure I'm going to be very motivated! My doctor has advised me to spend another five days in bed but after that I should be fine."

Team manager Geoff Crust shared his rider's disappointment.

"It is very annoying that this happened," he sighed, "Of course, we can't wrap our riders in cotton wool. Carlos likes to train between races on his Supermotard and so there are risks, but there are the same risks whenever he gets on the bike during a race weekend. We just hope that Carlos will be fully fit for Jerez and that he can make up the lost ground in the championship.

"We only confirmed this morning that Carlos couldn't travel, but we knew there was a strong possibility, so his crew was on stand by. They have now cancelled their flights. At this stage and at this level it is hard to find a viable replacement and since we are expecting Carlos back in Spain we will just run Max [Biaggi] this weekend."