Q&A: Tommy Hill ready to return.

After a long recovery from a serious leg injury, Tommy Hill will finally make his 2008 World Supersport debut next time out in Germany on June 15.

Hill - who rode for Yamaha in BSB and the final rounds of WSS last season - fractured his hip, femur, ankle and hand in a mysterious accident during his test debut for Hannspree Honda Althea at Calafat last November.

A complicated recovery and rehabilitation has kept the young Briton a frustrated spectator ever since, but he's now looking forward to getting back into action at round six of 13 (the WSS class won't be present at the forthcoming US round)...

Q:
Tommy, are the bad times over for you now?

Tommy Hill:
An injury like mine, which made me miss the first five rounds hasn't been easy and I'm not happy at missing out on important testing with my team. I wanted to start the season with high hopes of winning races, but I'll be fit for Nurburgring.

Q:
What do you remember of your crash in Calafat?

Tommy Hill:
It was not a crash that I wanted to remember. The only thing I remember was my leg spinning around, and from there I knew I had a big problem. I honestly thought I had lost my leg. I was so disappointed and also annoyed that I wouldn't be able to start the season with Hannspree Honda Althea.

Q:
How is your physical condition now?

Tommy Hill:
Having x-rays taken every 2 weeks, I'm nearly turning green with radiation but it's allowed my doctor and I to see exactly how my leg is healing. My doctor has been fantastic, and understands that I am a motorcycle racer not a belly dancer, and that I need to be back on the track as soon as possible. But as you can imagine this is a very serious break in an important part of my body. Anyway I have been training in the gym seven days a week, trying to get back to full fitness. I have started cycling again to get strength back into my leg, and I'm now ready for Germany.

Q:
What do you think about this year's Supersport World Championship?

Tommy Hill:
The racing this year has been very fast and good to watch. The race in Assen is what Supersport is all about, very fast and close up racing which I like and miss, that is why I need to get back on the track.

Q:
What do you think about your team's results?

Tommy Hill:
The Hannspree Honda Althea Team is fantastic, and I can't wait to start working with them again. This year has been hard as they have an excellent Honda support team. The racing this year is very competitive and fast. Unfortunately, I was injured during testing, Nannelli injured his shoulder and now Rolfo is also injured, this is definitely not good!

Q:
Are you ready to come back for the Nurburgring?

Tommy Hill:
I shall be there and ready for Nurburgring, and I hope my leg is ready for me to race, and I hope to get some good results. I have many doctors in the UK looking after me and making sure I do the right thing to make my leg strong again.

Q:
What are your targets for the next races?

Tommy Hill:
As I have missed a lot of this year's testing and races it is going to be very hard. I hope to be in the top 10-12 in the first round and slowly work up from there and get some good results. Once again I can't thank all my team and sponsors enough for their long lasting support and backing during these hard times.

Q:
What is your plan for 2009 if your season ends well?

Tommy Hill:
In 2009 I'd like to go to Superbike, as I have rode a Superbike for many years and feel I'd do ok on a good bike. But first I must get good results in 2008.