Leon Camier ‘confident of full recovery’ as he waits on sidelines

Leon Camier says he is confident he will make a full recovery from his troublesome shoulder injury as he faces the prospect of not riding his Barni Ducati again before he gets to Australia for the opening round.

The Briton switches to the privateer Ducati team for 2020 WorldSBK after two frustrating seasons on the Honda but has seen his preparations dealt a blow by a reoccurrence of the shoulder injury that sidelined him for much of the 2019 campaign.

Camier suffered ligament damage to the right shoulder when he struck Sandro Cortese’s crashed Yamaha during free practice for the Imola round of the series, putting him out of action for six events.

However, another fall during his first outing with the Barni team in Spain last year forced him to undergo another surgery, with recovery putting him out of action for this week’s first test of 2020 in Jerez. Ironically, his place in the team for the two days will be assumed by Cortese.

For now, Camier is in a race against time to be fit for next week’s Portimao test. If he doesn’t return in Portugal, he’ll be getting reacquainted with the Ducati Panigale V4 R during official pre-season testing at Phillip Island just days before the opening round.

Nonetheless, the 2009 British Superbike Champion is confident the hardest days are now behind him and he can get back up to speed quickly.

“So far so good, everyday feeling a little better,” he said. “Mobility is coming back well, so just need to start working on strength and getting some muscle back once I have full range of motion. Nothing is guaranteed specially with a joint as complicated as the shoulder, but the doctor is confident I will make a full recovery.”

“I have a good base fitness after many years, so I'm not concerned for that; I just need to get the shoulder healthy and strong again and hopefully get some bike fitness before the first race.

“Right now, I'm not sure if I can make the test, I'm doing everything possible to be at least at Portimao but it will be a big push and maybe a risk to come back early, we need to check nearer the time.”