Franco Morbidelli starts the new season without winter testing – He cannot explain his Portimao crash, he also considers the track to be dangerous in parts
Franco Morbidelli has been given the green light by the MotoGP doctors for the season opener in Qatar. The Italian had a crash on a Ducati Panigale V4 R in Portimao (Portugal) at the end of January. As he was unconscious at first and a further blow to the head would have been dangerous, the doctors had advised him not to take part in the winter tests.
According to Morbidelli, it is still not clear exactly what happened when he crashed in turn 9, as there is no video footage of it: “It happened on a warm-up lap. The injury was quite strange and the crash was also quite strange.”
“But I can’t remember, I don’t have a clear picture. I’m happy that it went the way it did.” Fortunately, the Italian did not suffer any serious injuries.
Portimao was added to the MotoGP calendar for the first time in 2020. Since then, there has been criticism regarding safety. The stones in the gravel beds were far too big. Jorge Martin suffered several injuries in a crash in 2021.
Pol Espargaro crashed into the track barrier last year, which was not secured with airfences. The Spaniard suffered numerous broken bones as a result. It was only the next day that airfences were installed in turn 10.
At the beginning of July, Carlos Tatay crashed in a Moto2 European Championship race. His crash happened at the end of the finishing straight. He then skidded along the outside left of an asphalt strip and hit the track barrier. Tatay has been in a wheelchair ever since and is working on his rehabilitation.
Is Portimao too dangerous? “It’s a special track and can be dangerous at times,” says Morbidelli. “But it’s a lot of fun, but also very dangerous – just like our sport. There are updates on the gravel. “
“But I’ve never touched the gravel at Portimao. I swear! Even in the last crash I didn’t touch the gravel. I just hit the tarmac pretty hard with my head.”
Marc and Alex Marquez were the first to arrive at the scene of the accident and administered first aid. Morbidelli has since recovered and feels fit. As he has missed all winter tests this year due to his switch from Yamaha to Pramac-Ducati, it will not be an easy comeback.
“I feel very good. It was an unusual preparation for me without testing. This year, the tests would probably have been more important than in all the years,” sighs the Italian. “It’s a new bike for me and the competition is so high.”
“But that’s the situation. We are trying to catch up as best we can. At the beginning we will take it easy to keep the rhythm off the track. If things don’t come, we can’t let ourselves get stressed because I have a lot to learn in such a short time. “
