The MotoGP season hasn’t even really started yet and we’re already looking at quite the long list of injured riders. Here’s who’s in and who’s out for the upcoming Grand Prix:
MotoGP
Somkiat Chantra – Thai MotoGP rookie Somkiat Chantra will miss the upcoming to rounds in Germany and the Czech Republic after suffering a lateral collateral ligament injury in his right knee. He will not be replaced at the German GP; Taka Nakagami will take the Thai’s place in Brno.
Maverick Vinales – Following his Q2 crash at the German Grand Prix, the Spaniard sat out the remainder of the Sachsenring weekend.
He later confirmed he will miss the Czech Grand Prix as well. “The idea is to come back at the Austrian Grand Prix”. Pol Espargaro will fill in for the Spaniard at Brno.
Franco Morbidelli – After a nasty get-off during the sprint at the Sachsenring, Franco Morbidelli has withdrawn from the remainder of the German GP weekend due to persistent pain in his left shoulder.
The Italian will miss the Czech Grand Prix as well. There has been no word on a replacement by VR46 as of Wednesday ahead of the race weekend at Brno.
Takaaki Nakagami – Replacing Somkiat Chantra at the Czech Grand Prix, Taka Nakagami has torn the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in his clash with Augusto Fernandez.
Moto2
Mario Aji – Having originally celebrated his return to racing at the British Grand Prix, Mario Aji will be out for a yet to be defined time after his healed up shoulder dislocated once again (for the fifth time this year) in the early stages of the British Grand Prix weekend.
The Honda Team Asia rider will need surgery on his shoulder which could see him sidelined until the summer break. He will be replaced by Taiga Hada at the German Grand Prix.
Moto3
Matteo Bertelle – Thai and Argentine GP pole sitter Matteo Bertelle has suffered a fractured humerus and tibia in a serious training crash. The Italian will miss several Grand Prix, he will be replaced by Marcos Uriarte who joins the team from MLav Racing. Rumors from Italy suggest Bertelle could return to action at the Czech Grand Prix.
Ruche Moodley – Crashing out of the Italian Grand Prix race, Ruche Moodley fractured his right elbow and has been declared unfit. He will be replaced by Marco Morelli at the Czech Grand Prix.
Luca Lunetta – The Italian has fractured his tibia and fibula in his last lap Dutch Grand Prix crash. He will be replaced by Red Bull Rookies Cup rider Lennox Phommara at the German Grand Prix.
Vicent Perez – Having tried to race at the German Grand Prix but ultimately withdrawing due to persistent pain in his (fractured) right hand. Leonardo Abruzzo will replace the Spaniard at the Czech Grand Prix.
Tatchakorn Buasri – Tatchakorn Buasri will miss the Czech GP due to a shoulder injury. He will not be replaced at Brno.
