CHRISTMAS CRUNCH

MOTOGP

ALEX GOBERT

AMERICAN NICKY Hayden is recovering from a series of injuries suffered in a training accident while riding dirt bikes just days after Christmas in the United States.

Former World Champion Hayden suffered a broken left scapula and two fractured ribs while riding flat track near his home in Kentucky on December 27.

It's been a difficult few months for Hayden, after undergoing surgery on a wrist injury he suffered at the final grand prix of last season, in Valencia.

The good news, however, is that Hayden won't require surgery.

"Obviously, injuries are never good," Hayden said. "But it's just part of motorcycle racing. Just like at Valencia, it was kind of a freak accident.

"I was starting to train again, like I normally do during the winter. I came up behind another rider, and he went to move out of the way. I wasn't going that fast.

"Unfortunately, he clipped my front wheel and I went down and landed pretty hard on my left shoulder, and that was it. It's disappointing, but there's nothing i can do about it."

Hayden is now in doubt for the first winter test of 2012 when it commences at Sepang on January 31.

HIRVO: I WON'T BACK DOWN

CITROEN'S NEW signing Mikko Hirvonen insists he will not approach his firs) season in Ihe French team with a second driver mentality. While he says his focus is on settling into the DS3 as quickly as possible, he concedes that - as a two-time Ray Sweden winner -there wilt be a lair amount of pressure on him end the team's seven-year wait for a victory in Varmland.

DOVIZIOSO GETS AN UNLUCKY BREAK

Andrea Dovizioso is confident he'll be fit for winter testing later this month. ANDREA DOVIZIOSO'S switch to Monster Energy Tech3 Yamaha for 2012 has suffered a blow, with the Italian suffering a broken collarbone while riding motocross on January 5.

BUEMI EYES LE MANS 24HR DRIVE

Cast out from F1, Buemi hopes to garner seat time in the Le Mans 24 Hour. FORMULA ONE reject Sebastien Buemi is hopeful of securing a seat in this year's Le Mans 24 Hour with a major frontrunning team. Dumped by Toro Rosso at the end of last season, Buemi has recently signed on as Red Bull Racing's reserve F1 driver for 2012.

MARTIN'S 24HR PLAN

World Endurance Chanpionship Aussie Open-Wheel export John Martin is set to race in the World Endurance Championship this year. Martin is talking to several teams about a possible seat in the new category, with the Superleague Formula champion hoping to secure a drive in the competitive LMP2 ranks for 2012.

TAKING THE TOUR

BOB PEARSON had to wait for the final race weekend to take out the 2011 Production Touring Car series, after leading the championship for most of the year in his Mitsubishi EVO X. Pearson was forced to miss the Wakefield Park round, allowing six other drivers to join him in the battle for the outright championship coming into the final round at Eastern Creek.

HIRVO: I WON'T BACK DOWN

DOVIZIOSO GETS AN UNLUCKY BREAK

BUEMI EYES LE MANS 24HR DRIVE

MARTIN'S 24HR PLAN

TAKING THE TOUR

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