Motorcycling-No fractures for Bagnaia in Catalunya GP crash, Bastianini set for surgery
03/09/2023 18:28
Sept 3 (Reuters) - MotoGP championship leader Francesco
Bagnaia did not suffer any fractures in his crash at the
Catalunya Grand Prix, his team Ducati said on Sunday following
initial scans, while Enea Bastianini will undergo surgery on his
ankle and hand.
Sunday's race was red-flagged after Bastianini's bike
slipped at turn one of the opening lap, taking out four other
riders, before Bagnaia was launched into the air by a highside
on the next turn.
Bagnaia, whose leg was run over by KTM's Brad Binder
straight after his crash, was conscious and taken to hospital
for treatment.
Both riders were unable to return for the race's restart,
with Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro claiming victory.
"Bagnaia has sustained multiple contusions, but further
medical checks have shown no fractures. The reigning World
Champion will fly to Italy with the team tonight," Ducati said
in a statement on social media.
"(Bastianini) suffered a non-displaced fracture of the
medial malleolus of the left ankle and a sub-capital fracture of
the second metacarpal of his left hand.
"Bastianini will require surgery on his ankle and, to speed
up his recovery, he will also undergo surgery on his hand in the
following days."
World champion Bagnaia leads Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin by
50 points in the championship standings.
The MotoGP calendar resumes with the San Marino Grand Prix
at the Misano circuit next week.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru
Editing by Toby Davis)
((Aadi.Nair@thomsonreuters.com;))