Remy Gardner is upbeat despite missing this weekend’s American Moto2 race after successful surgery on the ankle which he broke in a first-lap crash in Argentina.

Gardner was thrown off his bike after Takaaki Nakagami lost control through the first corner and took out the rear wheel of the #87 Tech 3 machine.

The Australian had surgery in Spain on Tuesday and while the outcome was positive, he will not line up on the grid at the Circuit of the Americas.

“The operation went well,” said Gardner.

“They basically put a hook plate on the end of my ankle which hooks onto the broken piece and then pulls it up and back to its normal place.

“They then screwed the length of the plate into my leg.

“Obviously, I am pretty angry at not being able to ride in Texas as we were just starting to find a good rhythm with the bike and I am confident we could have been in the points.

“The plan now is to come back stronger than ever and I am already looking forward to Jerez (May 5-7) which is the target.”

The Grand Prix of the Americas takes place on April 21-23.

Op went well. Staying in overnight for observation but already focused on Jerez. Good luck to @Tech3_Moto2Team at COTA this weekend #hungry pic.twitter.com/cM7EGmSBU3

— Remy Gardner (@GardnerRemy) April 18, 2017