After a difficult time at the historic circuit of Assen last weekend, when Toni Elias was forced to return home early through injury and Marco Melandri made an heroic charge to second place just six days after being involved in a first corner pile-up at Barcelona, the World Championship continues this Sunday in Great Britain. It is a second home Grand Prix for Marco, who lives just two miles from the Donington Park circuit in the heart of old England and just a stone’s throw from Sherwood Forest. Having flown straight there from Amsterdam, Marco has enjoyed a short but precious few days’ rest at home. MARCO MELANDRI: “I needed to put my feet up for a couple of days because since the Barcelona crash everything has happened really quickly: hospital, the trip to Assen, the medical checks and then the race. Now I’ve been able to relax a little and start to get back into my normal routine. Hopefully I will have recovered a lot of strength before Sunday’s race because Donington Park is a place I love and it is a real challenge for a rider. It is technical and fast in the first two sections of the track, a little slower towards the end. Its characteristics make it hard going on your arms, there are so many direction changes and it will really test my physical condition. At Assen I found it really hard work in the direction changes and under braking.” A forced recovery continues for Toni Elias, who underwent a medical examination on Monday at the Dexeus Institute in Barcelona with Doctor Xavier Mir, who confirmed that the injury is recovering well. The crack in his shoulder is recovering, but if he returns to action too soon it could slow the recovery process and cause further damage to the tendons and nerves. The Spaniard is therefore out of action for a further three weeks and hopes to return in time for the German Grand Prix on the 16th July. TONI ELÍAS: “The pain is still really strong. I really hoped to have recovered already but the tests on Monday showed that it was still too early to get back on the bike. The fracture still needs time and that is without considering the fact that Donington is really demanding and tiring and you have to be at 100% fitness to deal with that. I am really disappointed not to be there and I hope to be back as soon as possible.” MARCO MELANDRI ON DONINGTON PARK: “The track is characterised by a fast opening section, which is really fun to ride, and a slower second section. It is important to be smooth and have good corner speed, maybe even closing the gas a little and just getting the right line through the corner. A lap of Donington has to be done decisively and with courage – especially when going through Craner Curves on qualifying tyres. The track requires great flexibility because you have to be prepared for the fast corners at the start and the slow corners at the end – the last three in particular. So the secret to a good lap is to have a good compromise between hard braking skills and good corner speed.” DONINGTION PARK – THE TRACK HISTORY: Constructed in 1931, the track underwent major modifications after several years without being used. The most significant change was in 1985, which is when the current layout was completed: a 4,023 metre circuit featuring eleven corners. LOCATION: Donington is located around 60km from Birmingham and 200km from London. The closest major cities are Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. Constructed: 1931 Latest modification 1985 Length: 4.023 m Width: 10 m Pole position: Left Right corners: 7 Left corners: 4 Longest straight: 564 M Circuit record: 2004 Edwards (Honda) 1’29″973 pole position: 2005 Rossi (Yamaha) 1’27″897 Race 2005: 1st V.Rossi (Yamaha) 2nd K.Roberts (Suzuki) 3rd A.Barros (Honda) FOCUS: THE CLINICA MOBILE, GUARDIAN ANGELS Never before the past few races has the role of this crucial part of the World Championship paddock come into sharper focus. Founded by Doctor Claudio Costa, the Clinica Mobile was borne by the passion of Checco Costa for motorcycle racing, which was transmitted to his young son. HISTORY: The Clinica first appeared in 1977 and the first operation took place at Salzburgring, when five 250 riders crashed in the same corner and all were seriously injured. The Clinica staff saved the life of Franco Uncini. In ’81 the second clinica appeared and saved the life of Graziano Rossi in 1982 at Imola. The third Clinica emerged in 1988 and was transported to all manner of competitions, including European road racing, motocross and kart racing. The fourth, inaugurated in 1997, now operates in the Superbike series whilst the fifth was opened in spring 2002 and currently follows the World Championship. THE STAFF: 107 people work in the Clinica Mobile including doctors, physiotherapists, technicians and drivers.There are 16 to 18 members of staff at the MotoGP races alone. THE EQUIPMENT: The Clinica Mobile hosts a reception area, therapy room, x-ray machine and storage for x-ray plates and archives. All the equipment is designed to provide rapid and urgent treatment. A SECOND HOME: The Clinica Mobile is designed to provide the riders with further treatment once they have already been checked out at te circuit Medical Centre. However, as well as receiving therapy the riders are also made to feel that first and foremost they are among friends – almost like a second family. THE INJURIES: Every year sees around 700 crashes. The most injuries occur to the back, wrist, metacarpals, metatarsals and fingers. THE RECOVERY: The riders always show amazing will to recover as soon as possible. Motivated by their great passion for racing they often recover with simply incredible speed.