Written by Hugh Waring, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Enea Bastianini will sit out of MotoGP Americas Grand Prix, following a shoulder injury at the Portuguese Grand Prix
The 4-time race winner had to cut short his debut weekend with the Ducati team, following a shot at the Portuguese Grand Prix only on Lap two of the sprint race, with fellow Ducati rider, Luca Marini.
The Italian suffered a broken shoulder blade, and was ordered to rest by medical doctors, forcing him to miss the following round at Argentina. The Italian headed to his local Misano circuit this week, to determine the progress of his recovery. These checks inferred Bastianini still needed more time to recover. It was concluded that Ducati test rider Michele Pirro would take his place at the upcoming race this weekend.
In a statement from Ducati:
“After completing a few laps at Misano with the Panigale V4S, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider underwent a further check-up in Forli at Dr Porcellini's clinic, who confirmed that Bastianini will need a few more weeks to fully recover from the right shoulder injury sustained in the Portuguese GP.
"Enea will therefore continue his rehabilitation with the aim of returning to the track in Jerez and will be replaced in Texas by Michele Pirro."
The MotoGP grid has been plagued with injuries early into the 2023 season. Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez will also sit out of the Americas GP, following a collision with Miguel Oliveira, sustaining a hand injury. Oliveira will undergo a final medical examination, to determine whether the RNF rider can compete.
Tech3 rider Espargaro will also not be in Texas, to recover from his jaw and back fractures at the Portuguese GP, and has been ruled out indefinitely. Former rider Jonas Folger will replace the Spaniard. Finally, it is still unclear whether Joan Mir will compete, following an ankle injury he received in the sprint race at Argentina.