Rossi Crashes out of MotoGP Championship Contention
Reigning MotoGP champion, Valentino Rossi, crashed at high speed during the second free practice session at Mugello for the Italian round of the series this morning, fracturing his tibia and putting him out for at least 4 races, probably more.
The very fast crash was a big high side resulted in an open fracture of the right tibia (shinbone) and after assessment by the Clinica Mobile, Rossi was helicoptered away from the circuit to hospital and will undergo surgery this afternoon, central european time.
According to Claudio Macchiagodena of the Clinica Mobile, a normal person would require three months to recover, but racers with similar accidents have been back on track after 40 days. Both Toni Elias (at Assen) and Max Sabbatani (also here at Mugello) suffered similar injuries, and were back within 6 weeks.
link: MotoMatters.com
With 6 races in the next 8 weeks, Rossi who is currently 9 points behind team mate, Jorge Lorenzo, in the championship standings is now almost certainly out of title contention. With this in mind, it is likely will need to field a replacement for Rossi to keep the two factory Yamahas on the track (teams can only have the bike off the track for 2 races then must supply a replacement rider), but is too early yet to speculate on who could get the call up.
It will be interesting to see what happens in MotoGP now. There is some evidence that ultra performers like Rossi actually make everyone else perform less well. Will we see some of the other riders step and shine in his absence?
You can watch a frightening free video of the Rossi Mugello crash on the official MotoGP site.
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That is bad news indeed. Just lookt at the crash. Not the kind of corner I would expect a highsider!
Bad deal all the way around. Also for Lorenzo. If he claims the title (probable will) people will say ” becouse Rossi crashed out …”
As for a replacement…Spees ?
Maybe Spies, but I’m not sure he can legally because of the rookie rule. I’ve asked someone who knows a lot more than me about and they are unsure too
[...] Casey Stoner crashing out of the lead, Lorenzo winning 2 races on the trot for the first time and Valentino Rossi crashing in Mugello and ruling himself out of contention for this year’s title with a broken leg. Against all [...]