Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Honda Racing Teams Manager Chuck Miller called Roadracingworld.com Wednesday to update the medical conditions of Kurtis Roberts, who injured a knee and an ankle Friday, and Nicky Hayden, who underwent LASIK surgery Tuesday.

“There is no major damage in the knee,” said Miller of Roberts. “He went back (to Dr. Art Ting’s clinic Wednesday). They did another MRI again. He did have some more fluid on it, and they drained out a little bit more fluid. It continues to swell up like that, but there’s no internal damage. They’re not planning on doing any kind of surgery.

“He will take this week off and have no activity and keep it elevated and iced and things like that. Then next week, they’re going to put together a rehab program for him. He will not attend the Road Atlanta test (next week). He will stay home and start his rehabilitation. So that’s where we’re at. Kind of good news. We most definitely expect to have him back on the bike at Sears.”

Roberts suffered injuries to his right knee and left ankle in a highside crash Friday, April 5 during Superbike qualifying for the AMA Superbike race at California Speedway. The injury to Roberts’ right knee prevented him from racing in rounds two and three of the AMA Superbike series, but Roberts also hurt his left ankle in the fall.

“It’s improving too,” said Miller. “He had shattered that ankle a long time ago. He said anytime he ever hits it or bangs it, the thing wants to swell up big.”

When asked about Nicky Hayden’s LASIK eye surgery, Miller said, “That all went good. He went back to the doctor today. Everything came out fine, him and Roger both, actually.”

In a separate phone interview, American Honda Motorsports Media Manager Greg Wright told Roadracingworld.com that he had planned on Roberts taking part in an autograph session for American Honda employees at the company’s Torrance, California campus Thursday, April 11 but didn’t expect Roberts to make the event now. The meet-and-greet session is still slated to include Honda Superbike racers Miguel Duhamel and Nicky Hayden along with Honda’s Team Kool Green CART race car drivers Paul Tracy and Dario Franchitti, who are in town for the Grand Prix of Long Beach.