RCryder
06-19-2006, 02:55 PM
DISASTROUS DAY FOR DUCATI MARLBORO MEN
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau had a
disastrous day at Catalunya today, both men crashing out in a turn-
one multiple pile-up. The crash, which claimed a total of five
riders, left Capirossi battered and bruised, with Gibernau suffering
concussion and a fractured left collarbone. Marco Melandri, the only
other victim of the first-corner melee to sustain injury, suffered
concussion and a dislocated shoulder.
Capirossi was taken by helicopter to Catalunya General Hospital,
attended by the Clinica Mobile's Dr Mattioli Ruggero. He underwent
scans to his chest, to check that the crash hadn't aggravated the
injuries he sustained in a crash during last October's Australian
GP, and also to his abdomen, because he was struck in that area
during today's accident. The Italian then underwent further scans to
the left of his chest which had become swollen. None of the scans
gave any cause for concern and although Capirossi will remain in
hospital overnight for observation, he could be fit for next
weekend's Dutch TT at Assen. He sustained no broken bones in the
fall.
Gibernau was less lucky. He will need an operation to fix the minor
fracture to his left collarbone. Surgeons will replace a plate
inserted after an earlier accident with a larger plate, but they
will wait 24 hours before the operation, due to his concussion.
Gibernau never lost consciousness after the 195kph/121mph accident
and was pronounced okay following a brain scan at Barcelona's Dexeus
hospital. Unfortunately, the ambulance taking Gibernau to hospital
was involved in a minor accident with a bus just 50 metres from the
hospital entrance, though he suffered no further injuries in that
incident. It is too soon to say when he will be able to race again.
LIVIO SUPPO, Ducati MotoGP Project leader
"The first corner of any race is always tricky. But the fact that
both riders came out of such a big crash without serious injuries is
a great testament to the protection offered by the latest riding
gear. Unfortunately, this is the worst moment of the season to
sustain an injury, with three races over three weekends and another
two over the next three weekends. Maybe Loris will be able to race
at Assen but we can't be sure when Sete will be ready.
We were unlucky to lose both our riders in the accident. Looking at
the lap times, we could have scored some good points today. Our
congratulations to Bridgestone who had a much better weekend here
than they had here last year, with a fourth-place finish, only 13,4
behind the winner. That proves once again how much they have
improved at what was a difficult track for them. Although today was
a bad day for us, this fact certainly boosts the team's mood for the
remainder of the season."
Sete better hope that Rossi lifts that curse soon....
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau had a
disastrous day at Catalunya today, both men crashing out in a turn-
one multiple pile-up. The crash, which claimed a total of five
riders, left Capirossi battered and bruised, with Gibernau suffering
concussion and a fractured left collarbone. Marco Melandri, the only
other victim of the first-corner melee to sustain injury, suffered
concussion and a dislocated shoulder.
Capirossi was taken by helicopter to Catalunya General Hospital,
attended by the Clinica Mobile's Dr Mattioli Ruggero. He underwent
scans to his chest, to check that the crash hadn't aggravated the
injuries he sustained in a crash during last October's Australian
GP, and also to his abdomen, because he was struck in that area
during today's accident. The Italian then underwent further scans to
the left of his chest which had become swollen. None of the scans
gave any cause for concern and although Capirossi will remain in
hospital overnight for observation, he could be fit for next
weekend's Dutch TT at Assen. He sustained no broken bones in the
fall.
Gibernau was less lucky. He will need an operation to fix the minor
fracture to his left collarbone. Surgeons will replace a plate
inserted after an earlier accident with a larger plate, but they
will wait 24 hours before the operation, due to his concussion.
Gibernau never lost consciousness after the 195kph/121mph accident
and was pronounced okay following a brain scan at Barcelona's Dexeus
hospital. Unfortunately, the ambulance taking Gibernau to hospital
was involved in a minor accident with a bus just 50 metres from the
hospital entrance, though he suffered no further injuries in that
incident. It is too soon to say when he will be able to race again.
LIVIO SUPPO, Ducati MotoGP Project leader
"The first corner of any race is always tricky. But the fact that
both riders came out of such a big crash without serious injuries is
a great testament to the protection offered by the latest riding
gear. Unfortunately, this is the worst moment of the season to
sustain an injury, with three races over three weekends and another
two over the next three weekends. Maybe Loris will be able to race
at Assen but we can't be sure when Sete will be ready.
We were unlucky to lose both our riders in the accident. Looking at
the lap times, we could have scored some good points today. Our
congratulations to Bridgestone who had a much better weekend here
than they had here last year, with a fourth-place finish, only 13,4
behind the winner. That proves once again how much they have
improved at what was a difficult track for them. Although today was
a bad day for us, this fact certainly boosts the team's mood for the
remainder of the season."
Sete better hope that Rossi lifts that curse soon....