Colin Edwards passes Silverstone medical

Colin Edwards will participate in this weekend's British MotoGP at Silverstone having passed a medical assessment on his right shoulder today (Thursday).

The 37-year-old missed last weekend's Catalan Grand Prix after breaking his right collarbone in a Friday practice crash at the Montmelo circuit.

The American had a titanium plate and 13 screws inserted in the shoulder during a three-hour operation the following day.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 star then returned to the track on Sunday, but was denied permission to start the race due to his medical condition.

That meant his run of 141 successive MotoGP appearances, since his 2003 debut, came to an end (see table below).

But the Texan will be back for round six of the 2011 championship, having been given the all-clear by medical staff.

"I was confident I would get through the medical and now I'm just looking forward to the weekend and being back on track with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team," said Edwards.

"The shoulder feels fantastic and I can't thank Dr Xavier Mir and his staff enough because without them I wouldn't be in a position to even consider riding.

"I know it is not going to be an easy weekend because there are some fast changes of direction and hard braking at Silverstone, but I'm confident I can do a good job and bring home some points for the Team."

Edwards, who missed out on a podium finish at round two in Jerez when his M1 stopped on the final lap, has slipped to 13th in the world championship.

His return brings the MotoGP grid back up to 16, with only Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa still absent.

Longest run of successive premier-class starts:

1. Valentino Rossi 170
2. Alex Barros 158
3. Colin Edwards 141
4. Max Biaggi 127
5. Shinya Nakano 124