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After a four race break to recover from wrist surgery, Nicky Hayden returns to MotoGP this weekend at Aragon.

His team released an interview in which Nicky explains many of the details involved in his decision to remove several bones from his wrist, his recovery from the procedure, and his expectations. The entire interview can be found here on the Aspar Team Website.

What impresses me most about Nicky’s situation is the discipline with which this veteran rider had allowed himself time to recover from the operation. Competitors with serious injuries always face the decision of when to return to action. While there are many sources of pressure to continue as soon as possible, perhaps the most difficult to deny is the internal desire, even the need, to be involved rather than sitting on the sidelines, waiting for an injury to heal.

Only a handful of MotoGP riders enjoy the breadth of fan support that Nicky Hayden does. I’m not alone in hoping the wrist operation and recovery will prove to have been a complete success, and that Nicky will continue to be fighting in MotoGP for years to come.

[mgallery keyword=”Nicky Hayden”]

Photograph: ©2014 by Scott Jones / PHOTO.GP – All Rights Reserved

Camera Info: Nikon D4 with Nikon 500mm f/4.0