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Leon Haslam, the most recent winner of a World Superbike race, was in Barcelona this week in order to undergo an operation on his right arm.

The English rider, who is now recovering at home in the UK, traveled on Tuesday to Barcelona’s Quiron Dexeus University Hospital where the operation was carried out by Dr. Xavier Mir, resident doctor for both WorldSBK and MotoGP riders.

“After my big crash at Imola this season, I was riding with broken ribs in the UK and Portugal,” Haslam explained to WorldSBK.com by telephone on Thursday. “I was really suffering with arm pump - especially at Donington – and, with my rib injury, I was riding really one-sided. The operation has taken the fluid out of the muscle, so it doesn’t strangle the muscle. That allows the muscle to take on a much greater load.

“Since I’ve had it done, I am even more confident that it will be a big improvement for next year. Normally you would wait until December to have this done, but the season starts at the end of February and I want to be able to train as much as possible in December and January. Dr. Mir has said I will be able to ride again within the space of a week. Now I just need a bike and team and I’ll be all ready to go!”

With Aprilia’s future involvement in World Superbike yet to be decided, Haslam continues to liaise with the Italian manufacturer plus three others.

“I am very much in negotiations with several manufacturers, but there is nothing set in stone,” Haslam clarifies. “It is quite hard to watch other riders testing in Spain, especially after winning the last race in Qatar. I just want to get back riding again! I would love to continue with Aprilia, but that is still uncertain. I am speaking with other manufacturers to maintain my competitiveness in the World Championship.”

Despite the injuries and subsequent arm pump following his huge crash at Imola on 10 May, Haslam won the Losail season finale (his second victory of the year) to end the season fourth overall behind only Jonathan Rea, Chaz Davies and Tom Sykes.