LCR Honda MotoGP rider Alex Rins has been diagnosed with a fractured tibia and fibula after a nasty crash in the Italian Grand Prix sprint at Mugello.
The Spaniard fell at the first Arrabbiata corner on the fourth lap of the 11-lap sprint while running 12th.
The small glimpse of the crash on the MotoGP world feed suggested it was a small but violent highside.
Taken to the medical centre after his accident, Rins subsequently headed to Careggi Hospital in Florence for a closer examination of his right leg.
Spanish broadcaster DAZN reported a suspected fracture, and those suspicions materialised with the diagnosis of the serious lower-leg injury.
Rins will undergo a first surgery on Saturday evening at the Careggi University Hospital in Florence “where doctors will attach an external fixator to stabilize his right leg and reduce swelling”.
He will then remain under observation and return to Spain once cleared for a final surgery.
The crash was only Grand Prix of the Americas winner Rins’ fifth of the season, but two of those had come as DNFs in the previous grands prix at Jerez and Le Mans.
The injury naturally rules him out of Sunday’s race at Mugello, and is all but guaranteed to mean that he will be sidelined until the 2023 summer break – meaning he’ll also miss rounds at the Sachsenring and Assen.
But as for the Italian Grand Prix specifically, it means Honda is down to just two riders – with Joan Mir, Rins’ former Suzuki team-mate and current Honda factory rider, already sidelined after a fall on Friday.
