Bagnaia statement to MotoGP.com after the race in Aragon complained of injuries but added that…

Francesco Bagnaia Battles Pain After Aragon MotoGP Crash, Eyes Recovery for Misano

Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning MotoGP champion, is nursing significant neck and shoulder pain following his dramatic crash with Alex Márquez during last weekend’s Aragon MotoGP.

The incident, which took both riders out of the race, occurred on lap 18 after Márquez ran wide at turn 12, creating an opportunity for Bagnaia to overtake. However, just a few hundred meters later at turn 13, the two riders made contact, sending Bagnaia tumbling awkwardly underneath Márquez’s bike.

Bagnaia had started the race from third on the grid but slipped back to seventh after a poor launch. As he fought his way back through the pack, he was poised to challenge Márquez for the final podium spot when the crash occurred.

After the incident, Bagnaia was taken to the medical center, where initial assessments confirmed that while he was in considerable pain, especially in his neck and left shoulder, he had avoided any serious injuries.

In an interview with MotoGP.com, Bagnaia downplayed the severity of his injuries, stating, “It could be much

worse, so it’s okay.” However, he acknowledged the discomfort he was experiencing, particularly in his shoulder.

Later, in a statement posted on his Instagram story, Bagnaia provided further details, explaining that while he managed to capitalize on Márquez’s mistake at turn 12, the collision at turn 13 was an unfortunate conclusion to an already challenging weekend.

“I took advantage of Alex [Márquez] going wide to get ahead of him and also dove into the next corner with a slightly wider line knowing there was another rider; therefore it’s a shame that it ended up in this way as it had already been a difficult weekend,” Bagnaia’s statement read. He added that his left shoulder was causing him significant pain, though initial evaluations suggested no fractures.

With the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano rapidly approaching, Bagnaia faces a tight timeline to recover. He has only four days to regain his fitness before practice sessions begin for his home race, a situation eerily similar to last year when he arrived at Misano with leg injuries sustained from a crash at the Catalan Grand Prix.

Despite those injuries, Bagnaia managed to secure third place in both the Sprint and the main race at Misano in 2023, showcasing his resilience and determination.

As Bagnaia prepares for another potentially challenging weekend, all eyes will be on his performance during Friday’s practice sessions to see how the injuries from Aragon will affect him.

 

The San Marino Grand Prix is a critical race for Bagnaia, not just because it’s his home round, but also as he continues to chase points in the fiercely competitive MotoGP championship.