Following the final race of the season in Valencia three weeks ago, LCR Honda MotoGP racer Randy de Puniet decided to have a brief surgical intervention to remove the screws from his ankle last Friday. The Frenchman was motocross training to maintain his fitness over the summer break when he suffered a crash and fractured his left ankle. Despite the pain De Puniet had some hard rehabilitation to end the season and, before returning to the track next year, the 28-year-old will now continue the rehabilitation by having the screws taken out. De Puniet: “Well… It has been a very quick and easy operation. After the crash in August I worked hard to get the best from the bike but sometimes it has been very painful for me. After the races my ankle was always very swollen but now I am very satisfied because the size is normal. I am going to remove the stitches in 18 days and after that will begin my rehabilitation training to be in good form at Sepang in February”.