It has been a while since my last diary entry, but I have just finished my new column for Motorcycle Racer Magazine and thought I would let all the Rizla Suzuki fans know how I am getting on in Lincoln hospital.

The first thing I must say is thank you all for your kind thoughts and messages. I had no idea that I had so many fans either here in the UK or from across the world. Thank you so much for your support and the strength you give me to get better.

My pelvis is broken in two places and I have a fixator fitted to keep it in place and help it heal quickly. That is my main injury, although there is another that I have that is strange - I have World Champion bollocks. They are huge and very swollen and I am glad the doctor says they will heal naturally.

 

I don't remember a great deal about the crash. I collided with Chris Heath, a slower rider, on the circuit at the same time as me. Blue flags were being waved, but we still came together. I am glad he is not seriously injured.

I do think that Cadwell Park needs more run-off area. If I had more run-off then maybe my injuries wouldn't be so bad. I had no time to think before I was lying on the ground in agony wondering what had happened. Cadwell Park is a dangerous place to race motorcycles and I hope something is done to make it safer.

I am still sore but the doctors and nurses here at Lincoln hospital are very good to me. They are nice people and are positive that I will recover, although it will take some time. They think maybe it will be three months before I will walk again. I hope I can beat that and walk earlier, that is a main target for me. I want to heal as fast as possible.

It means that I won't be racing again this year, which is disappointing and difficult for me. I want to race for my fans and to win races, but now I must put all my energy into healing for next season.

I have made no decision on where I will be racing in 2004, but would like to win the BSB [British Superbike] title if possible. The decision will be made after I talk with Suzuki Company and recover completely from my injuries.

Rizla Suzuki will have a stand-in rider for the final two rounds of British Superbikes. I will support whoever that will be and hope that along with John-san [John Reynolds], my team can win the last four races. This is a great team and I am happy to be part of it.

Some friends who have visited me say that I am lucky to have the attention of so many pretty nurses in hospital. I agree, but I am married.