Jorge Martin made his long-awaited return to action at the Qatar GP, but unfortunately, the World Champion has suffered another injury. The Aprilia rider crashed on Lap 14 of Sunday's Grand Prix, and his team have announced that he has fractured right posterior ribs.
After the initial crash, the #1 rider was taken to hospital, with his team commenting: "Jorge Martin suffered a chest trauma, the rider is conscious without problems with his limbs. Rib contusion on the right thorax with pneumothorax. He will be taken to the hospital to perform a CT for in-depth investigation.”
Then the CT scan provided more updates: "Martin underwent a CT scan that showed an increase in the pneumothorax, this will make it necessary to place a drainage in aspiration. The rider will have to remain under observation for a few days in the hospital until the pneumothorax resolves.”
Finally, a diagnosis of broken ribs.
"The final examination shows fractures on the right posterior arches.”
A further update was issued by Aprilia on Monday morning, reading: "Jorge Martin spent the night at the Hamad General Hospital. There are no traumatic alterations affecting the brain, cervical spine or abdominal organs. An update regarding the rib fractures: eight fractures affect the posterior costal arches from the first to the eighth and there are three fractures observed in the lateral arches from the seventh to the ninth. Minimal pleural swelling is also noted in the context of the known pneumothorax. Jorge will remain under observation for a few days in Hamad International Hospital until the pneumothorax resolves. We will update you as soon as we will have relevant news."
Speaking at the end of Sunday, Massimo Rivola (Aprilia Racing CEO) commented: "Nevertheless, performance moves to the back burner today and our thoughts are with Jorge at this difficult period – we stand with him."
More terrible luck for the 2024 World Champion, and we wish him a speedy recovery from this latest setback.