Pedrosa out of KTM action ahead of stem cell surgery

Dani Pedrosa has been ruled out of MotoGP testing action for KTM as he prepares to undergo a stem cell surgery on a double collarbone fracture which has recently been detected.

After retiring from MotoGP racing at the end of 2018, Pedrosa has moved into a test rider role at KTM and took part in a private test at Jerez in December to help ramp up the Austrian manufacturer’s 2019 efforts.

But in a statement released from Pedrosa’s team, the Spaniard will miss the start of KTM’s pre-season testing programme, which begins at Sepang on February 1-3 before a second test between February 6-8, as he prepares to undergo collarbone surgery.

Pedrosa has confirmed a double stress fracture has been found in his right collarbone and due to previous breaks the bone has been weakened which triggered the need for a more serious operation.

The 33-year-old will undergo a stem cell operation to allow the bone to heal but the recovery timeframe is understood to be lengthy and will force the three-time world champion to miss pre-season testing.

“Unexpectedly I had a double stress fracture in the right collarbone,” Pedrosa said. “Over the years I have had several fractures in that area and the last time was in three parts.

“The middle part does not have enough blood flow, creating osteoporosis, so it requires an effective solution to regenerate the bone and achieve adequate recovery.

“After undergoing several tests and medical consultations, the clear recommendation is the total recovery and bone health.”

After consulting KTM, Pedrosa has gained the team’s backing for the operation as he aims to return to full fitness before resuming his test rider role later this year.

“[I regret] these circumstances and I thank KTM for their great support for my full recovery,” he said. “We are very excited about the work we are doing and that is why I want to be physically in the best conditions for that exciting task. For me, the challenge does not stop.”

The final MotoGP pre-season test takes place at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit on February 23-25, two weeks before the 2019 season opener, with KTM’s in-season test programme yet to be confirmed.

Last year KTM lost test and wild-card rider Mika Kallio after he suffered knee liagment damage in a nasty crash during practice at July's German MotoGP, while Pol Espargaro missed a total of three races plus vital in-season tests when he suffered a collarbone fracture in during the warm-up session in Brno before the Czech Republic MotoGP.

Pedrosa has been hired by KTM to step up its development efforts in its bid to climb the MotoGP grid with the Spanish rider ended an 18-year partnership with Honda to join the Austrian manufacturer for 2019.