Doctors treating Aprilia MotoGP boss Fausto Gresini say “complications have occurred” in his battle with COVID-19, and that the current clinical picture is “critical”.
The former Grand Prix racer was first hospitalised on December 27 with the illness before being moved to Bologna’s Ospedale Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi Hospital where he has remained since December 30.
His condition has fluctuated in recent weeks, but according to a short statement released by his team, his situation appears to have worsened.
#GetWellSoonFausto #GresiniFamily #Update pic.twitter.com/Wf7nyA8mDl
— Gresini Racing (@GresiniRacing) February 18, 2021
“Fausto Gresini is still hospitalised in the intensive care unit of Bologna’s Maggiore hospital due to a persisting severe respiratory insufficiency following a COVID-19 infection,” Doctor Nicola Cilloni said in the press release.
“Unfortunately, complications have occurred which make the current clinical picture critical.
“The hospital staff are continuing the treatment with the highest-possible intensity, with a hope for the recovery of the organ functionality – which has been severely compromised. He is still supported by a mechanical respirator and in a medically-induced coma.”
The news comes after his riders got their 2021 season underway this week, with MotoGP riders Aleix Espargaro and Lorenzo Savadori wishing Gresini their best as they completed three days of testing at Jerez.
Closer to home in Italy, his Moto2 and Moto3 riders launched their new liveries in Italy yesterday, with the launch going ahead at Gresini’s demand.
Fabio Di Giannantonio and Nicolo Bulega will ride for the team in the middleweight class while Gabriel Rodrigo is joined by Jeremy Alcoba in Moto3.
In its heyday as Honda’s main satellite team, Gresini Racing was a MotoGP race-winner with Sete Gibernau, Marco Melandri and Toni Elias. It also has teams in Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE, where it took Matteo Ferrari to the inaugural title in 2019.
Gresini himself was a double 125cc world champion in the 1980s during his riding career.
