Elias has screws removed from hand, ankle

Toni Elias has become the latest MotoGP rider to go under the knife after he had screws removed from his left hand and right ankle in Spain.

The Spaniard had the screws inserted back in March when he suffered a serious accident whilst Moto2 testing in Jerez, but has only now been able to have them taken out.

The surgery was carried out by Dr Joaquim Casanas, with Elias being allowed to leave the Barcelona after an overnight stay.

"I had a peaceful night and I have to say it is a lot less painful than I expected," he said. "This was a good time to have this operation, because now I have plenty of time to recover ahead of the Test in February. After 15 days I'll start a full rehabilitation."

Although the injury hampered him during the lead up to the inaugural Moto2 series, Elias dominated the category to claim the title, a performance that has earned him the chance to return to the top flight in 2011 with LCR Honda.