Ducati has provided the extend of injuries suffered to both Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini at MotoGP Catalan GP.
The opening lap of the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya, saw both of the Ducati Lenovo Team’s riders crash out as Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini were taken to the medical centre for examination.
Francesco Bagnaia suffered a big high-side before another bike made contact with the rider’s leg. The Italian was taken to the medical centre at the circuit before being sent to the general hospital for further examination.
The examination revealed the Bagnaia has sustained multiple contusions, but no fractures. The World Champion will be flown back home to Italy tonight. Meanwhile, the Championship leader’s teammate Bastianini has suffered a non-displaced fracture of the medial malleolus in the left ankle as well as a fracture to the second metacarpal on his left hand. The Italian will also be flying back to Italy as he prepares for his recovery.
UPDATE: @peccobagnaia has sustained multiple contusions, but further medical checks have shown no fractures. The reigning World Champion will fly to Italy with the team tonight.#ForzaDucati #CatalanGP pic.twitter.com/i2x2tS3e33
— Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) September 3, 2023
[…] 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.#ForzaDucati #CatalanGP
— Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) September 3, 2023
Today I can only say thanks pic.twitter.com/j5vSYgFDge
— Pecco Bagnaia (@PeccoBagnaia) September 3, 2023
Here’s what Brad Binder said after he had no way to avoid Bagnaia: “Crazy last couple of hours. I got a really good launch in the race, and I was between Maverick and Miguel going through Turn 1 and 2. On the exit of Turn 2, I didn’t see a thing. Until I saw Pecco and his bike in the middle of the track. Then I clipped something on his bike. I was shaking trying to miss him, then I clipped his leg, or something. I don’t really know. I ended up falling. It’s really… the trickiest part is to get back on, and carry on.
“The good thing was that I saw him move. He was moving. I just clipped his leg, or legs, I don’t quite know. But I got over enough that, at least, I didn’t hit him square. It’s every rider’s worst nightmare. To see someone there is scary but to be the one who hits them is even more shit, to be honest. He’s obviously hurt but seems fine. I went to see him. Honestly, when I walked in there, I wasn’t expecting to see him chilling! He seemed okay! My only priority today is that I never hurt anybody.”
Here’s Bastianini’s crash: https://twitter.com/MotoGP/status/1698380766177091767?s=20
Here’s Bagnaia’c crash: https://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2023/09/03/bagnaia-suffers-dramatic-opening-lap-crash/477097
Here’s how MotoGP Catalan GP panned out
[Note: The story is as per press release]