MotoGP: Bradley Smith has successful double operation

Bradley Smith will be fully fit for next weekend's Assen Grand Prix after a successful double operation to correct left hand and wrist injuries.

Smith, 22, sustained a cracked wrist, a damaged finger and a black eye in two crashes at Mugello a fortnight ago, but finished the race in ninth.

The Briton then finished a career-best sixth in last week's race in Barcelona.

Smith said: "Everything went as well as expected and now I am just resting my arm as much possible."

The Oxford rider had a 75-minute operation to insert a small screw in his left scaphoid bone and also underwent a skin graft to repair the damage to his little finger.

A small section of skin was removed from his left forearm and the specialist team at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus of Barcelona are confident the graft was successful.

Smith added: "The double operation was a success and I can't thank the doctors enough. They have done a fantastic job and they told me that the wrist and finger surgery were both a success.

"The wrist shouldn't give me any problems now hopefully but we need a few more days to see whether the skin graft has taken. I tried to race on without surgery but it wasn't possible but I am glad it is done now because I can just concentrate on riding pain free.

"I'll have an assessment when I get to Assen but I will be riding there and I am really looking forward to it.

"The last two races have not been easy given my physical condition but the top six in Catalunya was great for my confidence and hopefully I can build on the momentum gained with another strong ride in Assen."

The MotoGP season continues on 29 June at Assen for the Netherlands Grand Prix. The riders will then travel to Sachsenring for the German Grand Prix on 14 July, and Laguna Seca for the United States Grand Prix on 21 July.