Jorge Martin Aims for Qatar Return Amid Recovery from Injuries

Jorge Martin, MotoGP champion, aims to return at the Qatar Grand Prix after missing early races due to injuries from pre-season crashes. He stresses caution in his recovery timeline. Meanwhile, Miguel Oliveira will miss the Austin race, replaced by Augusto Fernandez due to injury.

Defending MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin aims to return to competition for the fourth round of the 2023 season after suffering injuries from two pre-season crashes. Having missed the first two races, he confirmed he will not participate in the upcoming event in Austin, Texas, scheduled for March 29 and 30. Martin expressed optimism about racing in Lusail, Qatar on April 12 and 13, stating, “I expect to be in Qatar, but only if it doesn’t pose any risks.” As he considers his timeline, he emphasized the importance of caution, advising against rushing his recovery process to avoid further delays.

Martin’s recovery has been complicated due to severe injuries sustained in crashes during pre-season. He fractured his right hand and foot in an incident during a testing session in Malaysia, followed by a second crash on a supermoto bike before his return. He revealed on social media that his injuries include broken radius and scaphoid bones in his left wrist, multiple fractures in his left foot, and muscle injuries in his right ribs. Currently, he trails six-time world champion Marc Marquez by 74 points, as Marquez has had a strong start with victories in the first two races.

The Yamaha-Pramac team announced that Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira will also miss the Austin race, having sustained a left shoulder injury during the Sprint Race in Argentina. He is set to be replaced by Spaniard Augusto Fernandez, a former Moto2 World Champion, who previously raced for the GasGas-Tech3 team and is currently a reserve rider for Yamaha. Oliveira has recently undergone examinations that revealed a sternoclavicular dislocation along with ligament damage.

In conclusion, Jorge Martin is hoping to return to MotoGP competition at the Qatar Grand Prix after serious injuries delayed his participation. While he remains focused on recovery, he emphasizes the importance of caution to ensure a safe return. Meanwhile, Miguel Oliveira’s injury has led to Augusto Fernandez stepping in for the upcoming race, indicating the challenges riders face in maintaining health and performance levels throughout the season.

Original Source: www.sanfordherald.com