Reale Avintia Racing's Tito Rabat remains in hospital after an accident at the GoPro British Grand Prix left him with multiple right leg fractures and while the Spaniard is still unable to walk normally, there is good news: he's starting to move and put weight on the injured leg.
In an interview with motogp.com the 2014 Moto2™ World Champion recalls the incident, talks about his comeback aims, looks at 2018 as a whole and chats about next season:
About his physical condition: “I’m much better. I can sleep well and almost bend my knee 100%. Now I can start to bear weight and can support 30% of my body. Little by little, we’re now past the most difficult phase and can start doing exercises and working on my flexibility. We’re over the worst of it and I’m keen to get back on my bike.”
The accident: “I remember that I was at the end of the straight. I was in sixth gear and the bike started aquaplaning. I couldn’t stop, so I jumped off the bike and rolled away then stayed for a moment on the floor. This was a bad decision and something I’ve learned, to not stay there. Luckily I could see Rins who was warning me and I turned and saw Morbidelli’s bike heading for me. I jumped up and the bike hit my leg, not my body. My leg was like a snake. Doctor Charte and the medical team came to help me. They relieved a lot of the pain.”
¡Hola a todos! ¡Muchas gracias por los mensajes y todo el apoyo! Ya recuperándome y pensando en volver pronto a casa.
— Tito Rabat (@TitoRabat) 28 de agosto de 2018
Thank you very much for all your support. Already recovering and looking forward to go back home.#MotoGP#BritishGP#realeavintiaracing pic.twitter.com/jc4PCxe45G
A return to track: “It’s certain that I won’t be going to Aragon. I think, meeting the goals, I could go, but not at 100%. I’d really like to go to Thailand, I believe that I can be there, but the doctors have the final say, they’re taking care of my leg.”
The 2018 season: “It’s been my best season. In the Championship, we weren’t as far ahead as we deserve. We’ve had two races that we were doing well but were unable to finish like in Montmelo and in the Czech Republic. This year, with the Ducati, I’ve had high hopes. In Free Practice and in Q1, I’m close. We’ve not finished any races in amazing positions, but we have been in the top 10 a few times.
Looking ahead to 2019: “The next season we hope to make another step. Looking towards next season, we’ve already spoken and all the parties have an understanding. The intention, both for the team and myself, is to continue with this project”:
On Abraham as his teammate: “He’s a rider with a lot of experience and has won races in Moto2™. He’s a guy who’s improving every year. Last year was his best, even though he’s struggling a little more this year. I think that he will be a great teammate”.
Simeon used his bike in Misano: “I saw an improvement in him because my bike is newer, but in MotoGP™ it’s important to know how the bike works. It’s his first year and it’s complicated. I also saw that he struggled, the level of the competition this year is high. The bike influences a lot, but knowing how to ride it is complicated. He wasn’t able to finish.”