ALDEGUER APOLOGIZES AFTER SPRINT CRASH LEAVES BAGNAIA WITH FOOT FRACTURES

Fermin Aldeguer returned to MotoGP action in Qatar after missing the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix with a fracture to his right hand, sustained in a crash in Indonesia. The Gresini Ducati rider had a difficult start to the weekend, missing direct entry to Q2 in Friday’s timed practice, but recovered in qualifying: he topped Q1 and went on to secure ninth on the grid.

His sprint ended in a collision with Pecco Bagnaia on the opening lap. Aldeguer braked too late at Turn 16 while attempting to pass and struck the rear of Bagnaia’s Ducati. The impact sent the factory Ducati rider into the air and onto the track, prompting officials to stop the race.

Bagnaia was conscious but in pain. Initial checks at the circuit medical centre found fractures to the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones in his right foot, along with bruising across his body. He was flown to Italy overnight from Saturday into Sunday.

Aldeguer accepted responsibility for the crash and apologised to Bagnaia and his team. “I made a mistake while trying to overtake, and I’m really sorry,” the 21-year-old said.

After the restart, the sprint was shortened to 10 laps and Aldeguer was given a double long-lap penalty. He had climbed to seventh by lap four, but the first penalty dropped him to 12th. He remained there after serving the second, then passed KTM’s Brad Binder on the final lap to finish 11th, 9.429 seconds behind winner Marc Marquez.

Aldeguer said the penalties had not prevented him from showing his pace. “The double long-lap penalty didn’t slow us down; we had good pace,” he said, adding that the team would try to “come back” in Sunday’s race. He repeated his apology to Bagnaia.