Fonsi Nieto recovering in U.S. after second operation

Fonsi Nieto will return to Spain later this week following surgery in the U.S on his fractured left ankle. The Holiday Gym G22 rider crashed during qualifying for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix on Saturday and the impact of his fall caused fractures to both the talus and calcaneus bones in the joint.

Nieto underwent surgery on Sunday at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where screws were inserted into the talus and mini plates used to correct the calcaneus, and he then required a second operation on Monday. The 31 year-old also suffered a reaction to an anaesthetic which caused a momentary respiratory arrest, a situation that was dealt with speedily by the medical staff present.

Nieto, accompanied throughout by his cousin and Team Manager Pablo, will now make his return to Spain on a specially scheduled flight which will be assisted by medical staff due to his physical condition after the second operation left open wounds which will require a drain to relieve pain.

Upon his return Nieto will be admitted to the Clínica USP San José de Madrid where he will continue his recovery. Doctor Ángel Villamor, who has been in constant contact with the surgeons in the U.S., the rider and the team, explained to motogp.com that Nieto’s condition is now stable.