Sepang MotoGP Crash

The second-lap crash that claimed Marco Simoncelli Sunday in Sepang also impacted the health of Monster Tech 3 Yamaha's Colin Edwards.

The American sustained multiple small fractures to the left humerus bone, which connects the elbow to the shoulder, Orthopedic Specialists Dr. Henry Small from University General Hospital in Houston confirmed Wednesday. Dr. Small also confirmed that Edwards damaged cartilage around the bone.

Due to the injuries sustained in the three-man crash involving Edwards, Simoncelli and Ducati Team's Valentino Rossi, the 37-year-old Texan will need surgery.

The Monster Tech 3 Yamaha Team says: "With a four-week recovery period, Edwards will not be able to take part in the Valencia race on November 6, which was due to be his final appearance for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team."

The team reports that Edwards also suffered severe bruising and swelling to both wrists and right heel in the accident, but additional checks at the University General Hospital showed no fractures.

It is still not known if someone will substitute for Edwards at Valencia, but Monster Tech 3 says the team will make the announcement as soon as it knows.

Colin Edwards (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha) says: "Firstly, I want to thank everybody for all their messages of support since Sunday. The support and love has been overwhelming and it has been a great comfort to me at this difficult time. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Marco and I will miss him a lot, as will the entire MotoGP family.

"I watched Marco's funeral yesterday and I really wish I could have been there. I wanted to go but unfortunately my injuries meant I was unable to travel. I know Valentino spoke to Marco's family on my behalf and I thank him for that.

"It was a great service and a fitting celebration of his life. I also wanted to be in Valencia next week to give my support to MotoGP, but it is not going to be possible because of the surgery I need on my left arm. The top of my left humerus bone has got multiple small fractures but the cartilage that is around the top of the bone has been pulled off. The surgery will anchor the cartilage back to the bone but there is no nerve damage, so I should be 100 percent in about four weeks."