Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Joan Mir suffered a terrifying crash on the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix last Sunday at the Red Bull Ring circuit. The first tests and X-rays performed at the circuit medical centre directly after the crash revealed a small fracture in the talus bone of his right ankle. Having returned home on Sunday night, the Mallorcan underwent further tests in Andorra.
Yesterday, Mir visited Dr Juan Garcias at Hospital Juaneda Miramar in Palma de Mallorca where he underwent a CT scan and an extra MRI as the doctors wanted to rule out bone damage to the left talus head as well as the right. Despite issuing a more encouraging diagnosis than expected, Dr Juan Garcias found ligament and bone damage on the right side and he recommended caution, advising Mir to take absolute rest for the next 15 days. This means Joan will not be able to race in Misano.
“The patient had an injury to the talocalcaneal ligaments with a small bone avulsion. A stable tibiofibular joint, but with bone contusion on the head of the talus. In this case, the tibiofibular joint was stable and there was no total instability in the navicular bone. Conclusion: talus-calcaneal-navicular ligamentous injuries with instability grade I – II”
Mir will undergo another round of scans to assess the injuries following his 15 day rest period, in order to determine the course of treatment and, if eligible, to try ride at Motorland for the Grand Prix of Aragon.
In the forthcoming days Suzuki and Dorna will evaluate the best solution for Misano.
Joan Mir: “After undergoing several tests, the doctors have advised me to take 15 days’ rest and another evaluation after that period. Unfortunately, I will miss the Misano race, but I am confident I can return in Aragon. I want to thank Dainese and AGV for protecting me and avoiding a more serious injury after the hard crash I had on Sunday. It's been a tough season, but I'm convinced that we'll come back stronger to bring more good moments to my team and to all of you who support me".
Livio Suppo - Team Manager: “I’m very sorry for Joan. Problems continue to arise during this difficult season. In any case, we should remain upbeat. The crash was really big and in the end the injury is a serious one, but it could have been worse, so let's be positive and see how he will recover in the next 15 days to hopefully be ready for Aragón".