Large wings and ground-effect fairings: MotoGP at Mugello pushes many riders to their limits – Raul Fernandez goes under the knife again
The combination of the fluid and fast layout at Mugello and the latest developments in aerodynamics caused major problems for some MotoGP riders last weekend. The Aprilia and Yamaha bikes in particular were very sluggish when changing direction, provoking the dreaded arm pump problem
Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) complained of severe discomfort, but Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse-Aprilia) also struggled with problems. The 23-year-old Spaniard underwent an operation on Tuesday. It is the second operation on his right forearm.
Fernandez already underwent surgery in the 2023 MotoGP season. At the French Grand Prix in Le Mans, he complained of discomfort and gave up. Today, the Spanish Aprilia rider is having surgery in Barcelona in order to be able to ride again without pain from Assen onwards
Did the arm pump in Barcelona cost him a possible MotoGP podium?
“I had problems again. I’ve had problems with my arm since the start of the season,” Fernandez confessed in Mugello. Despite the pain in his forearm, the Trackhouse rider finished the race in twelfth position.
“I’m happy with my performance, but I had to push hard in the final seven laps. That was already the case in the previous race. It hasn’t changed since the start of the season,” reveals Fernandez.
“That’s why I couldn’t fight for the podium with Marc Marquez and Aleix Espargaro in Barcelona,” reports the ten-time Grand Prix winner. “I couldn’t talk about it earlier because I wanted to maintain my concentration. I spoke to my doctor before Mugello. We realized that the problem had returned. “
Armpump not a problem for Ducati riders?
Are the modern MotoGP bikes too demanding? “It’s part of the game. You have to understand the category,” comments Fernandez. “But it also depends on the bike. It’s more difficult with our bike. “
“I don’t think many Ducati riders need surgery,” remarks Fernandez. Aprilia brand colleague Aleix Espargaro confirms that the RS-GP is more demanding on the rider. In the MotoGP field, Espargaro is probably the rider who trains the hardest.
“One more lap and I would have had to give up. It was incredible,” reports Espargaro. “The bike was super aggressive and very bumpy. I could no longer accelerate and brake. In the final eight or ten laps, I was only braking with one finger. “
