Franco Morbidelli was taken to hospital after a fall during training at Algarve riding a Ducati Panigale V4S superbike ahead of 2024 MotoGP season.

Following a crash in Portimao, Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) has spent the night in Faro Hospital for “precautionary and safety” reasons. Morbidelli was testing alongside his Ducati MotoGP counterparts and VR46 Academy stablemates – including Valentino Rossi – at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, where the WorldSBK paddock were participating in an official pre-season test.

Lapping on Ducati’s Panigale V4S superbike, the Italian crashed at Turn 9, which subsequently brought out the red flags. Prima Pramac Racing later confirmed via social media that Morbidelli would spend the night in hospital.

While the tests have thankfully been “encouraging”, Morbidelli now faces a race against time to be fit for the crucial Sepang Test on the 6th of February as the #21 aims to get to grips with Ducati’s 2024 machine ahead of the season opener.

“After a bad crash, Franco was promptly taken to the hospital for further examinations. Initial tests have provided encouraging indications about his current condition, he will spend the night at Faro Hospital for precautionary and safety reasons,” the statement said.

[Note: The story is as per press release]