On the eve of the MotoGP ’23 season, many feared that the new format could cause more injuries. A premonition that is coming true, even if the sprint race is not entirely to blame. Luca Marini also stopped after the last round at Le Mans, appearing before the media with a bandage on his right hand after going to the medical centre. Everyone thought it was a simple blow, but after more detailed tests he had to raise the white flag.
The Mooney VR46 team rider was involved in an accident at the start of the race after a contact with Alex Marquez. “I just have pain in my thumb because when my hands hit the ground, it was a big impact. But it’s all right. Maybe I’ll do another home check, but we now have three weeks off, which will be very important“. But two weeks later Valentino Rossi’s team confirmed that its rider suffered a broken right wrist and will be forced to miss the Mugello race.
The MotoGP injured list
The plague of injuries does not stop in this MotoGP season and once again affects the Ducati brand. The Italian manufacturer lost Enea Bastianini in the first Grand Prix at Portimao, then Jorge Martin was injured and a few days ago Francesco Bagnaia discovered that he had a fracture in his right ankle following the accident with Maverick Vinales on the French track. In the first five races of 2023, four of his riders have already been through the infirmary, but the injured list is very long.
Luca Marini’s fracture represents the tenth injury after five Grands Prix. To the Ducati home four we must add the injuries of Marc Marquez (three Grands Prix missed), Pol Espargaró (still in the recovery phase), Joan Mir, Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira (injured twice). A crescendo of injuries that is starting to get worrying, with almost 50% of the grid injured so far this season. At Mugello we could see Pol again after the terrible accident in FP2 at Portimao, even if the time may not be ripe yet. We will certainly see Enea Bastianini again, still with zero points in the standings after the contact with Marini in the first sprint race of 2023.
