WATCH: Pol Espargaro a doubt for Valencia MotoGP after huge high-side
Pol Espargaro suffers severe bruising but is otherwise uninjured following this spectacular high-side in Valencia; A doubt for final 2021 MotoGP race
Repsol Honda could be forced to withdraw from the final round of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship after Pol Espargaro suffered a huge crash in Valencia.
The Spaniard is the only rider representing the multiple world championship winning factory Honda team this weekend after Marc Marquez withdrew due to the reoccurrence of an eye injury.
However, Espargaro is now a doubt for the race too after a massive accident during FP3 that forced him out of FP4 and qualifying.
Occurring around the long fast left-hand that leads into the tricky bend coming onto the home straight, Espargaro’s Honda lets go at the top of the decline and flicks him into a high-side.
Coming down heavily on the asphalt before barrelling through the gravel trap, Espargaro was taken to hospital and despite initial reports of no serious injuries, has suffered significant bruising around the abdomen and thorax.
“Unfortunately today I had a very big crash during FP3 at Turn 13. The impact was very hard but fortunately I have no serious injuries and nothing appeared broken in the tests we did at the hospital.
“At the moment I have a lot of pain from around my ribs when I breathe, this is what hurts most. I’m really disappointed because we had great speed and I was feeling really confident.
“I’m sorry for my team. Tonight we will rest, take painkillers and see what the situation is in the morning.”
