Simón to undergo surgery in Madrid

Julián Simón was the recipient of some very bad luck in the Moto2 race at the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya, where a crash resulted in a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg.

The Mapfre Aspar rider was pushing at the front of the race when on lap 15 Kenan Sofuoglu attempted to overtake him. The Turkish rider tried to pass Simón at Turn 11, going in strong and clipping the rear of Simón’s machine.

The Spaniard highsided and was thrown from his bike, the aforementioned injuries diagnosed at the Clinica Mobile before he was then transferred to the Catalonia General Hospital in Sant Cugat del Vallés by ambulance. There Simón was further examined by Dr Carlos Guinot, who expanded on the diagnosis with a third degree fracture of the distal tibia and with a 1/3 fracture of the fibula confirmed in scans.

Simón is this evening (Sunday) being transferred by medical plane to Madrid, where he will be operated on at the USP San José Hospital by Dr Ángel Villamor.

"We could have fought for the victory today. I had doubts at the end of the day yesterday, but this morning I felt very comfortable on the bike,” said Simón. “The start was almost perfect and gave me a big boost, and when I saw that I could keep up with (Stefan) Bradl I didn't think twice about trying.”

“I was hit from behind suddenly by another rider and that was 'game over' for me. I immediately noticed that something wasn't right with my right leg, which has now been confirmed. Right now I just have to focus on recovering as soon as possible. I wish to thank Mapfre for their efforts in making it possible for me to be transported to Madrid so quickly."