Jorge Martin's spell on the sidelines is set to be extended following a crash in the Tissot Sprint at Motegi, where the Aprilia suffered a broken right collarbone. Having returned to Spain and undergone successful surgery for the reduction and fixation of the fracture at the Hospital Universitari Dexeus by the medical team led by Dr Xavier Mir, a return to the track looks further away than hoped.
Aprilia already confirmed Martin would not race and not be replaced for the Indonesian GP. Now, Aprilia Racing Team Manager Paolo Bonora has confirmed that Martin will definitely not return to action in Australia either:
"It's a big injury for sure. The surgery was very good, very, very good. Now we are checking with the doctor the recovery plan and when he can come back to the race track. For sure, I can confirm in Phillip Island he won't join us, unfortunately. We don't know about the future. We have to wait for the medical examination to understand his physical situation, day by day. It was a big injury. It is not a standard collarbone crack. There were two places [where it was broken]. Yeah, it is necessary to wait. A big hug to Jorge and I would like to say to him that all the team are close to him at this particular moment."
That adds to the update from MotoGP Medical Director Angel Charte ahead of the Indonesian GP. Charte underlined that it's a waiting game for his return, but rehab will begin ASAP: "Jorge Martin’s surgery was successfully completed. It was a complex procedure due to the fracture presenting three fragments, which were successfully fixed with screws in the middle-distal third of the fracture and a support plate to prevent displacement. Recovery times are still uncertain; we cannot give an exact date for his return, but rehabilitation will begin as soon as possible."