Following their crash in the first lap of Sunday’s MotoGP™ race at Silverstone Pol Espargaro and Loris Baz are both in good spirits and looking forward to Misano.
The duo were both stretchered away as the Octo British Grand Prix race was red flagged following their collision at turn one on the opening lap. Espargaro immediately experienced severe pain in his right leg which later reduced, whilst Baz was left briefly unconscious after the initial impact and later had a brain scan which revealed no damage.
The riders were checked over at the circuit medical centre and later given the all clear, with both expected to ride this weekend at Misano.
Pol Espargaro: “I can’t say a lot about the race because it was over before it really got going for me. In the first lap, I felt a strong impact from behind me at the first corner. I started to roll on the floor and then both my bike and Loris’ bike hit me. On one hand, I have to say that this incident was really bad luck, but then again, to be completely honest, the past few races have not gone exactly to plan. On the other hand, I have to be pleased that nothing worse happened.
“I must admit that I am feeling a lot of pain all over, and especially in my right tibia but this is not something that I am overly worried about and I am sure that with some relaxation and massages, I will be fine.”
Loris Baz: “It was quite a big scare! I had a good start and Pol overtook me in Turn 1. I was lining up to pass him on the inside at the next corner but Danilo (Petrucci) surprised me braking very early. When I realised I was about to collide with him, I went to right but Pol was on that line and I hit him. I don’t remember what happened next, until I arrived in the ambulance. According to the first examination, I didn’t have any serious injury.
“As I had a headache at the end of the day, I decided to go under the scanner but nothing came out of it. My foot hurts. I also have a nice sprain and also a grazed thigh. I am lucky not to have injured myself more seriously and I am sorry for Pol. I couldn’t avoid him, I had no other option. It’s a shame because we had the opportunity to do a good race. Now I’ll rest and get ready for Misano.”
Ok... K-O today... But Feeling so lucky could have been so much worse! So happy for @polespargaro to be ok too!!???????????? pic.twitter.com/kUKMlLcTTv
— Loris baz (@lorisbaz) 4 septembre 2016