BACKSTEDT: “SHOULDER OPERATION WENT WELL”

Magnus Backstedt has told CW that the operation on his frozen shoulder injury ?has gone well? and that he expects to return to light training in the very near future.

The hook and metal plate inserted into Backstedt?s shoulder to allow scar tissue to replace the tendons torn in a crash last October have now been removed. Manipulation of his shoulder whilst under the anaesthetic during the same operation has also meant that the 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner has now regained a considerable degree of range of movement in his arm.

?The doctor was able to move my arm above my head, which is great news.? Backstedt told CW, ?although it will take a little bit of time to get completely sorted. As for the pain, that?s almost completely gone.?

Since the operation last week, Backstedt has taken four to five days off the bike, ?mainly to avoid the risk of infection.? But he was expecting to be able to do some light training soon.

?From then on it?s a question of seeing how quickly everything recovers. There were six screws and a plate in there so you don?t want to take too many risks.?

?Really I can?t predict how soon I will be back to actual racing - we?ll have to discuss it with the team. We?ll see.?