In an extreme turn of events for the MotoGP championship. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) secured a double win this weekend at the Catalan GP. Espargaro won both the Sprint race and Grand Prix securing him maximum points on the weekend. However, the story of the day is that championship leader Francesco Bagnaia suffered from a high side crash requiring him to be transported tot he hospital. On the opening lap of the race Baganaia crashed out from the lead. He was also ran over by another rider who had no where to go. After being transported to the hospital MotoGP™ Medical Director Dr. Angel Charte has offered an update on the status of the reigning World Champion to Spanish broadcaster DAZN.
“Pecco has had severe polytrauma, a motorbike ran over him in the femoral and tibial area. We have taken x-rays of this area and have detected a small injury that we don’t know if it is current or old. We need to do an urgent CAT scan and that is why we have sent him to the general hospital. At cranial, thoracic and abdominal levels, he has been normal at all times. He was conscious and oriented. The image we have seen is from conventional radiology, so it is difficult to be sure that there is no fracture. It is necessary to do a CAT scan,” We will provide updates as the doctors confirm his overall condition.
Elsewhere on the Grid
In second place Maverick Viñales completed the 1-2 for Aprilia Racing. However, the MotoGP stewards issued Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) an official warning following Sunday’s race. Viñales was found to be running tire pressures lower than the parameters which MotoGP’s official technical partner Michelin recommends. This is a new requirement that MotoGP is giving teams time to acclimate to. Because this is Viñales first offense he received a warning.
In third was second place championship sitter Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) who cut into the lead Bagnaia held after the Sprint Race. Bagnaia came into the weekend with a 62 point lead which has now dropped to a 50 point lead. As we potentially await the verdict on whether Bagnaia will be out for an extended period. The injury could have major implications on the championship. Martin’s Prima Pramac Racing Johann Zarco finished fourth.
It was a rough day for the Ducati Lenovo team as both riders did not finish the race. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing) did not do himself any favors in his championship fight finishing P12. He remains in third place but his grasp on the top spot is slipping away.
Full Race Results are Below
World Championship standings after the Catalan GP