Aprilia Racing Seeks Clarity from Michelin After Jorge Martin’s Sepang Crash
Aprilia Racing is demanding answers from Michelin regarding Jorge Martin’s recent harrowing crash during the Sepang MotoGP test. The reigning MotoGP world champion suffered a severe highside on the first day of pre-season testing in Malaysia, resulting in a heavy impact with the ground.
Michelin claimed that a sensor detected a significant drop in temperature on the inside of Martin’s rear tire, attributing the crash to this anomaly. However, Aprilia quickly refuted this explanation, asserting that their data indicated no issues with the bike and that Martin had not made any mistakes.
Massimo Rivola, the CEO of Aprilia Racing, raised concerns about the safety of riders in light of the incident. He emphasized the need for a collaborative effort among all teams to address what he described as a “critical situation” following the crash.
Rivola called for a dialogue with Michelin and other teams to gain clarity on the circumstances leading to Martin’s accident. He stressed the importance of prioritizing rider safety and suggested a meeting to collectively address the issue.
In the aftermath of the crash, Martin sustained a single fracture in his right hand and multiple fractures in his left foot. After receiving initial treatment at a hospital near Sepang, he flew back to Barcelona for further medical care.
Renowned doctor Xavier Mir performed surgery on Martin’s broken right hand at Quiron Dexeus Clinic, which was deemed successful. The fractures in his left foot did not require surgical intervention, as confirmed by a statement from Aprilia.
Dr. Mir expressed optimism about Martin’s recovery, stating that the functional rehabilitation process would commence shortly based on his clinical condition.
Both Martin and his Trackhouse Aprilia teammate Raul Fernandez are provisionally listed to participate in the upcoming pre-season test at Buriram. However, Martin’s availability for the test remains uncertain as his recovery timeline is still being evaluated.
The incident has sparked discussions within the MotoGP community about the importance of tire safety and the potential implications of temperature variations on track performance. As teams prepare for the upcoming season, the focus on ensuring rider well-being and minimizing risks has become paramount.
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