COVATTI AWAITS SURGERY AFTER CRASH IN ARGENTINA

Italian international Nicolas Covatti is due to undergo surgery on Thursday after suffering fractures to his left leg and right arm during round nine of the Argentinian International Speedway Championship in Bahia Blanca on Friday.

Covatti crashed when Argentinian racer Facundo Albin picked up huge traction coming off bend two, lifted and took the former FIM Italian Speedway GP wild card’s back wheel, sending both men tumbling. While Albin is reported to have avoided serious injury, Covatti remains in hospital where he awaits surgery.

Albin was very apologetic following the incident, but Covatti refused to let the former Sheffield rider take the blame.

Talking Argentine newspaper La Nueva through the crash, he said: “I remember that I started well. That's why it was my mistake not to close the inside line right away. I wanted to grab the grip that had formed on the outside. 

“I also started well, but I never expected that Albin’s motorcycle would pick up. I thought he would get away. I had a lot of speed on the outside, but he caught me halfway, and when I opened my eyes, he was on the other side of the track.

“You have to understand that this is part of the game. Nobody wants it, but it happens. Last night I was with Facu, and he felt very bad. He and his family apologised to me, but I didn't accept this, because I don't think he has to ask for forgiveness. 

“It was the final, everyone wanted to win. I told him, 'Stay calm, it was a racing incident. We are human and we all make mistakes.’ Nobody intends to do this. He also took a good hit and, luckily, nothing happened to him.”

Covatti – originally from Coronel Pringles Argentina – is due to compete for Cab Direct Championship club Plymouth in the UK, and he faces a race against time to be fit for the start of their season in March. Now the 35-year-old is already plotting his recovery, starting in Argentina. He said: “We will have to think about when my return to Italy will be after the operation. 

“We are considering having my wife come here with the baby (they are in Italy), and thus we can be together here. Right now, it's about being as united as possible. In Italy I will start my rehabilitation and, by the spring in Europe, I will be able to start touring.”