Marco Bezzecchi
Raul Fernandez suffered a major setback as he was injured in a crash in testing in Sepang. Miraculously, he has recovered in time to test in Buriram.
The Spaniard suffered fractures to his left hand and foot in a crash in Malaysia. It marked the second consecutive season the Trackhouse rider ended his pre-season early through injury.
Fernandez admitted it was ‘one of the worst’ crashes of his career. It was an accident he could not afford to have as he will be on the factory Aprilia RS-GP25 this season.
Things got worse for Aprilia as defending champion Jorge Martin suffered a violent highside at turn two. The 27-year-old was ruled out of the rest of pre-season testing with the injuries he sustained.
VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio will also miss the rest of testing after dislocating his shoulder following a wheelie attempt. It was anticipated Fernandez would be sidelined too.
However, the Trackhouse rider has travelled to Buriram to complete the final two days of pre-season testing.
Raul Fernandez could not have a natural position on his bike due to his injuries
Fernandez was 19th after day one in Buriram, 1.7 seconds off pacesetter Marc Marquez. Trackhouse teammate Ai Ogura was seven tenths quicker in 15th.
However, that is not much to go off considering it is pre-season and, by Fernandez’s admission, he could not use a ‘natural position’ on his bike. Speaking with After The Flag, the 25-year-old admitted it was the ‘worst thing’ about riding with an injury, but stressed it was important to do so.
“At the end, we cannot come directly to the race with no information, if not we will have spent two races minimum to understand the bike, the new people in the team”, he said.
“For me it was the best choice that we make it, to come here and after that today was a positive day. It’s true especially on the left curve was quite difficult to manage well.
READ MORE: What Aprilia chief Massimo Rivola has ‘got to be’ thinking about Raul Fernandez after Sepang crash
“Especially because I couldn’t put well the feet for some reason. I cannot use a natural position on the bike because I have two fingers (toes) broken in the left feet.
“So it was the worst thing, but for the race I feel good, I feel fit. It’s true that I am a little bit tired but it is the first day for me on the MotoGP bike”.
He added: “For me it was super important. Just when we understood the injury I was thinking on coming here directly.
“It’s true it looks like that I am crazy, no? But at the end, we cannot start the season with no test day”.
Aprilia are in a ‘dark place’ heading into Buriram
With two factory riders suffering injuries in Sepang, Aprilia had to rely on Marco Bezzecchi and Ogura to gather data. The two riders are inexperienced when it comes to the team’s machinery.
Test rider Lorenzo Savadori has been brought in to aid Aprilia in testing. But it is clear the Noale-based manufacturer are in a difficult position.
Martin’s crash put Aprilia in a ‘dark place’ as they had been optimistic about their chances with the defending champion. He will have to play catch up for the first few races of the season.
Having Fernandez back will be a major boost for Aprilia. But the Spaniard will have to be cautious to not suffer another setback in a season where he has to deliver.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
