Mat Mladin’s publicist issued this press release Thursday, April 26:

“Defending American Superbike Champion Mat Mladin has made a belated return to America where he will resume preparations for the second round of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship which is scheduled for Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California on
Sunday May 4-6.

“Mladin was due to return to America more than two weeks ago, but a motocross training accident on the morning he was to fly out, left the two-time Champion with a broken left fibula. Taking specialists’ advice, Mladin did not have the break plated, instead opting for natural healing, given that there was sufficient time before Sears Point for the injury to heal. Mladin suffered a severe break in the same area of his ankle in January 1995 and doctors were concerned that any surgery may attract a return of the infections which threatened the mobility of his foot.

“‘As far as the ankle goes, everything is fine,’ Mladin said, before leaving Sydney. ‘I actually did a full moto on the motocross bike yesterday morning and it felt fine. There is a bit of soreness with the achilles, but that is all. I don’t think it will be a problem at Sears Point.’

“On arrival back in California, Mladin is scheduled to test his Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750 at the Pahrump circuit in Nevada on Monday, before the team packs up and heads to Sears Point.

“Mladin heads to Sears Point as the defending race winner (in 1999) and also the Championship leader after taking victory at the Daytona 200 in March. Last year’s (Sears Point) round was cancelled due to poor drainage at the Sonoma circuit after days of torrential rain.

“‘It’s been seven weeks between Daytona and Sears, so I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike and winning again,’ Mladin added. ‘Track safety is always an issue so I hope we don’t have a repeat of what happened there last year and what also happened at the Phillip Island round of the SWC (Superbike World Championship) last weekend. I hope that the track owners have done enough work around there to make sure it doesn’t happen again.'”