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Alvaro Bautista has passed the second hurdle on his way to recovery after breaking his femur during practice at Qatar. After receiving the go-ahead from the surgeon supervising his recovery, Dr Villamor, earlier this week, the Rizla Suzuki rider has now also been passed fit to ride by the Estoril circuit doctor, Dr Sarmento. Bautista faces one final test, and that is a personal one, of how he feels on the bike. He will evaluate whether he feels strong enough to race during free practice on Friday, and if he feels comfortable, will take part in Sunday's Portuguese MotoGP round at Estoril. If Bautista does not race, then Suzuki test rider Nobu Aoki will take his place, as the Japanese veteran is already on hand to take part in the MotoGP test scheduled for the Monday after the race.

Below is the press release from the Rizla Suzuki team:

Bautista passed fit to ride

Publish Date: Thursday, April 28, 2011

Rizla Suzuki's Álvaro Bautista has been passed fit to ride at this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix, following a medical at the Estoril circuit today.

Bautista was examined by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sarmento and after a thorough assessment of the Spaniard's condition, he was deemed fit to return to action with immediate effect.

Bautista broke his left femur at Qatar only 41-days ago and will make an incredible return to MotoGP action tomorrow morning in the first free-practice session, where he will also assess his own on-bike fitness. If he is unable to continue for the remainder of the weekend Rizla Suzuki has Factory test rider Nobuatsu Aoki available to deputise.

Álvaro Bautista:

"I am really pleased I have been given the ok to ride, but I must now see what it feels like to get on a MotoGP bike. I have done a bit of Supermotard riding and that felt good, but that is nothing like riding the GSV-R. I will see how things go tomorrow morning and we will make a decision about the rest of the weekend after that."