Pramac-Ducati newcomer Franco Morbidelli not only misses the current MotoGP test in Sepang, but also has to skip the final pre-season test
On medical advice: Franco Morbidelli also misses the MotoGP test in Qatar
Pramac-Ducati newcomer Franco Morbidelli will not only miss the current MotoGP test in Sepang, but will also have to skip the final pre-season test
This is certainly not how MotoGP veteran Franco Morbidelli had imagined his debut with Pramac-Ducati. The Italian, who made the switch from the Yamaha factory team to the 2023 MotoGP World Championship team in the winter, will start the 2024 season with just a single day of testing. The reason for this is the crash that occurred last Tuesday (January 30) during private testing on a Ducati Panigale in Portimao
After Morbidelli’s participation in the current MotoGP test in Sepang (Malaysia) was already canceled, the Italian will also miss the last MotoGP winter test in Lusail (Qatar) in just under two weeks (February 19/20). This is the latest recommendation from the doctors.
A statement from the Pramac-Ducati team on Tuesday reads: “Following the dramatic crash during a private test in Portimao last week, Franco Morbidelli has undergone further examinations by Professor Franco Servadei (neurologist) and Doctor Roberto Donati.”
“Following the results of several examinations, which indicated a good overall clinical picture, Professor Franco Servadei has recommended as a precautionary measure that Morbidelli should not take part in any sporting activity for the next three weeks,” said the statement from the Pramac team.
This means that, as things currently stand, Morbidelli’s comeback is not scheduled until the MotoGP season opener on the weekend of March 8-10 at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. At the Sepang test, which runs until Thursday this week, Morbidelli will be replaced on the Pramac-Ducati by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro.
The only test day that Morbidelli has completed for Pramac-Ducati was the Valencia test in November 2023. As the new addition to the team now has to miss both the Sepang test and the upcoming Lusail test, he will start the 2024 MotoGP season with just this one day of experience on the Ducati Desmosedici
This is certainly not how MotoGP veteran Franco Morbidelli had imagined his debut with Pramac-Ducati. The Italian, who made the switch from the Yamaha factory team to the 2023 MotoGP World Championship team in the winter, will start the 2024 season with just a single day of testing. The reason for this is the crash that occurred last Tuesday (January 30) during private testing on a Ducati Panigale in Portimao
After Morbidelli’s participation in the current MotoGP test in Sepang (Malaysia) was already canceled, the Italian will also miss the last MotoGP winter test in Lusail (Qatar) in just under two weeks (February 19/20). This is the latest recommendation from the doctors.
A statement from the Pramac-Ducati team on Tuesday reads: “Following the dramatic crash during a private test in Portimao last week, Franco Morbidelli has undergone further examinations by Professor Franco Servadei (neurologist) and Doctor Roberto Donati.”
“Following the results of several examinations, which indicated a good overall clinical picture, Professor Franco Servadei has recommended as a precautionary measure that Morbidelli should not take part in any sporting activity for the next three weeks,” said the statement from the Pramac team.
This means that, as things currently stand, Morbidelli’s comeback is not scheduled until the MotoGP season opener on the weekend of March 8-10 at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. At the Sepang test, which runs until Thursday this week, Morbidelli will be replaced on the Pramac-Ducati by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro.
The only test day that Morbidelli has completed for Pramac-Ducati was the Valencia test in November 2023. As the new addition to the team now has to miss both the Sepang test and the upcoming Lusail test, he will start the 2024 MotoGP season with just this one day of experience on the Ducati Desmosedici
