Synopsis
Jorge Martin, reigning MotoGP champion, has successfully undergone surgery on his right hand after a crash during pre-season testing in Sepang, Malaysia. Despite sustaining fractures in his hand and foot, surgery on his left foot was not required. His team, Aprilia Racing, is yet to confirm his availability for upcoming testing and the season opener.Key Takeaways
- Jorge Martin had successful surgery on his right hand.
- The crash occurred during pre-season testing in Sepang.
- He fractured his hand and foot but did not require surgery on the left foot.
- Aprilia Racing is monitoring his recovery.
- Other riders also faced injuries during the testing period.
Noale (Italy), Feb 8 (NationPress) The current MotoGP champion Jorge Martin successfully underwent surgery on his right hand after experiencing a crash during pre-season testing this week in Sepang, Malaysia. Although he sustained fractures in both his hand and foot from a highside crash, his team Aprilia Racing confirmed that surgery on his left foot was unnecessary.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when Martin lost grip on his bike, resulting in him being thrown off and hitting the ground face-first, which shattered his helmet visor. The 27-year-old then returned to Europe for surgical intervention in Barcelona.
According to Dr. Xavier Mir, “Jorge Martin has undergone surgery for a displaced fracture of the head of the right fifth metacarpal, with reduction and percutaneous fixation using an intramedullary screw.” The doctor added, “The functional recovery will begin shortly, based on the clinical status.”
As of now, Aprilia has not confirmed if Martin will be ready for the upcoming test in Thailand next week or for the season-opening Grand Prix at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit on February 28.
Michelin’s racing head, Piero Taramasso, indicated that the internal tyre temperature on Martin’s bike was 15 degrees Celsius below optimal, which may have played a role in the crash. However, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola disagreed with this observation.
“I’m pleased that Jorge’s operation was successful, and we now wish for a quick recovery; his health is our main concern,” Rivola stated in a report by MotoGP.com. “As for the crash, I want to clarify that our data do not support the claims made by Piero Taramasso.”
“I believe that rider safety should be prioritized, and I propose organizing a meeting with all teams to address what is clearly a serious situation, as shown by the number of injuries.”
Martin wasn’t the only rider to face injuries during the Sepang pre-season test; Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez also withdrew due to fractures in his hand and foot. Additionally, VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio fractured his collarbone while attempting a wheelie.
