The highs and lows of racing were never more apparent in Jorge Martin ’ s recent fortunes . Just under two weeks before the class rookie amazed onlookers by setting pole position , leading 18 laps , and racking up a debut podium in just his second MotoGP™ appearance .
But Saturday morning ’ s FP3 session was stopped after 40 minutes after the 23-year old crashed heavily . Martin lost the front of his Pramac Ducati on the run to turn nine on an
Martin KO ’ d
out lap . He was then clipped by his bike and spun through the gravel in a sickening motion .
After a long spell in the gravel trap , Doctor Angel Charte confirmed Martin had suffered a fractured metacarpal , fractured malleolus , and cranial trauma , putting an end to his weekend . Proposed surgery was delayed on Monday due to the blow he took to the head . He will miss this weekend ’ s GP and the following race in France as a result .
Dovizioso and Aprilia : the start of something beautiful ?
Aside from Marquez ’ s comeback , the week ’ s big story was the return of the Spaniard ’ s ex-rival in chief : Andrea Dovizioso . The Italian sampled Aprilia ’ s RS-GP for the first time at a private outing at Jerez over three days , although the final was spoiled by bad weather .
Marquez hangs on !
273 days on from his last racing appearance , Marc Marquez made a heroic return to racing on Sunday . The big question that hung over the weekend was just how fast the 28-year old would be returning at this level after just two days on a Honda RC213V-S street bike in the past nine months .
All weekend long , he played down his chances , even if a third fastest time in a damp FP1 , and sixth in a dry FP2 , indicated otherwise . His gutsy performance on Sunday , when he ground out a seventh place despite “ just sitting on the bike – I wasn ’ t able to do anything ” through the final seven laps , was remarkable in the circumstances . “ To finish only 13s behind Quartararo is something incredible ,” he said .
Rarely does the serial champ break down in public . But he did so repeatedly post-race , in front of his team , in private , then in front of television cameras , as the mental toll of overcoming a career-threatening injury became clear . From here , Marc will continue cautiously . “ Now from race to race I will not ride any bike . Just I will train at the gym 3 or 4 days without any weights .”
It was tipped Dovizioso would use the test as a springboard to an unlikely return to racing for the Italian factory in place of Lorenzo Savadori . But his intention was to prepare himself for a full-time racing return in 2022 , he said . “ My passion is still for the MotoGP™ , and I would like to race next year . So I think it was smart to be on track .” But he wouldn ’ t completely rule out the possibility of racing this year . “ In this moment , I ’ m completely open , because I ’ m living this year in this way .”
Dovizioso was impressed by the machine despite not finding his ideal riding position . He will try the RS-GP again at a two-day test at Mugello on May 11 and 12 .
This week ... | MotoGP TM | 47