Moto2 title contender Jorge Martin will become the first grand prix motorcycle racer to sit out a race thanks to coronavirus.
The Race’s sources suggested prior to this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix at Misano that the Ajo KTM rider had tested positive for the virus.
This was then confirmed by the team and MotoGP promoter Dorna after a second test verified the situation.
Martin is not showing any symptoms and is now in isolation.
A mechanic from another unidentified team has also tested positive and is also asymptomatic.
MotoGP has followed most of the sporting world in demanding competitors undergo rigorous testing for the virus, with every person admitted to the paddock strictly controlled and needing to prove a negative PCR test result ahead of entry.
Martin was tested on Tuesday ahead of his expected paddock arrival on Wednesday.
Missing this weekend – and potentially the second Misano race next week too – could well spell disaster for his Moto2 title hopes.
Already a race winner this year in the Austrian Grand Prix and first to cross the line in the subsequent Styrian Grand Prix only to be demoted to second by a penalty, he is currently third in the championship and only eight points behind leader Luca Marini.
Martin’s test is the first positive test recorded by a grand prix rider since the season restarted in mid-July, but he joins a member of the Dorna TV production crew and Red Bull Rookies Cup rider Matteo Bertelle plus the mechanic today in recording positive tests.
Dorna said it has now conducted over 14,000 tests.
