Pinned and screwed McWilliams 'recovering nicely'.

Experienced Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams is working flat out to be fit for the MotoGP test in Qatar from February 13-15, following his femur-breaking accident at the end of November.

McWilliams is the last British rider to win a grand prix, the 2001 250cc Dutch TT at Assen, and has been picked by new team Ilmor to help develop its 800cc machine as they take on the might of the Japanese and Italian factories in their first full season of MotoGP racing.

However, the 42 year-old broke his left femur in a November testing accident while riding for Mario Illien's team. Earlier this month, McWilliams underwent a second operation on the femur and the #99 is now working flat out to ensure he is ready for the Qatar test.

"It's great to be back in the MotoGP paddock and it's only when you are away you realise just how much you miss it," said Jeremy, whose last full MotoGP season was with Aprilia in 2004. "I'm so looking forward to helping Mario and the team develop the bike and racing against the best riders in the world.

"My recovery is speeding along nicely and I'm getting more strength and flexibility back in the leg all the time," he continued. "I had the broken femur screwed and pinned in Spain after the accident and I had some readjustments back home in Belfast earlier this year. The consultant is pleased with my progress and I'm putting everything into getting fit for the Qatar test.

"I'm having sessions in the oxygen chamber and daily physiotherapy. I'm spending plenty of time in the hospital but when you think positively it's amazing just how much you can achieve. The team seems to be coming along well and everything is fitting into place," he concluded.

Ilmor recently completed its first test of 2007 with McWilliams' team-mate Andrew Pitt, at a chilly Almeria in Spain.