Following a crash in Portimao, Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) has been ruled out of 2024 MotoGP™ pre-season. After the Italian's latest medical check, Morbidelli has been recommended, as a precautionary measure, not to take part in any sporting activity for three weeks.
The news released by Prima Pramac Racing means the #21 will miss both the Sepang Test and the two-day Qatar Test, with Morbidelli expected to be back on his Ducati at the season opener in Qatar from the 8th to the 10th of March.
UPDATE ON FRANCO MOTBIDELLI’S CONDITIONhttps://t.co/3OSG8CvLxf pic.twitter.com/6D66r4c0PZ
— Prima Pramac Racing MotoGP (@pramacracing) February 6, 2024
Morbidelli was testing alongside his Ducati MotoGP™ counterparts and VR46 Academy stablemates – including Valentino Rossi – at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, where the WorldSBK paddock were participating in an official pre-season test.
After a bad crash, Franco was promptly taken to the hospital for further examinations. Initial tests have provided encouraging indications about his current condition, he will spend the night at Faro Hospital for precautionary and safety reasons. pic.twitter.com/XFBazXSZLo
— Prima Pramac Racing MotoGP (@pramacracing) January 30, 2024
🚨The medical team has decided to postpone the evaluation for a few additional days. This delay is intended to allow for a more comprehensive understanding of his fitness and to determine his eligibility for participation in the upcoming scheduled test days. pic.twitter.com/lfPNEgJsp3
— Prima Pramac Racing MotoGP (@pramacracing) February 4, 2024
Lapping on Ducati's Panigale V4S superbike, the Italian crashed at Turn 9, which subsequently brought out the red flags. Prima Pramac Racing later confirmed via social media that Morbidelli would spend the night in hospital.
Prima Pramac Racing then informed us that Morbidelli would return home to Italy on the 1st of February after CT scans "went well". Now, Morbidelli will rest up before jumping back on his bike in Qatar for Round 1 of the season.
The result of the second CT scan went well. Franco will be transported back to Alvor hospital to check out and tomorrow he will return home. FORZA CAMPIONE!!! pic.twitter.com/apww2d0uwl
— Prima Pramac Racing MotoGP (@pramacracing) January 31, 2024
One seriously fast track day yesterday in Portimao! 🔥#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/z1dqPDz65V
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) January 30, 2024