RiderTua.com – During a private test in Portimao on January 30, Franco Morbidelli experienced a serious crash with his Ducati Panigale V4S and collapsed in the gravel. Marc and Alex Marquez, who arrived first at Turn 16, immediately parked their motorbike and gave him first aid until the doctor arrived at the scene 2 minutes later.
Franky said, “Thanks to Marc Marquez who was the first person to help me.”
In this crash, the newcomer to the Pramac Ducati team suffered a concussion, which required him to miss the Sepang test and the Qatar test. A CT scan showed a lump in his skull. Apart from that problem, Morbidelli did not show any injuries. However, if he falls again, the risk of permanent damage to the brain will be very large, so it was decided not to take part in pre-season tests, either in Sepang or Qatar.
Franco Morbidelli: Does the crash in Portugal affect his mentality? I’ve Forgotten It!
It is no coincidence that sports such as ice hockey or American football, where concussion cases are common, have ‘concussion protocols’ that athletes must follow. Only when doctors give them the green light can they gradually start training again before competing again. In the NHL (North American professional ice hockey league) there are 6 steps that must be followed carefully and supervised by a doctor.
The duration varies depending on the severity. In Morbidelli’s case, he was forced to sacrifice all his activities in February and all preparations for the recovery process. At least the doctors allowed him to take part in the Qatar tests.
In Qatar, Franky said, “Thanks to everyone who was worried about me. I’m fine, but my life was in serious danger for a while. I’m very happy that everything went well and once again want to thank Marc and Alex “Marquez from the bottom of my heart for saving my life when I was lying unconscious in the gravel. I wish them all the best in this season. They look very agile on their Ducati!”
The VR46 Riders Academy pupil himself does not believe that missing 2 pre-season tests will make him far behind. “Of course it was nice to spend 5 days of testing with Ducati, especially because the bike and the team are new to me. But it is something new for me. I’m fit and I’m calm. The starting position for the first race is not bad,” said new teammate Jorge Martin That.
What effect did the crash have on Franky’s mental state? Will it interfere with his preparations ahead of the first series of this season in Qatar? “Nothing at all, because I don’t remember anything. I don’t think riding a bike now will feel any different than before. Will I feel more scared? Maybe a little? I honestly can’t say. That’s the good thing about Portimao that I don’t remember what too,” concluded Franco Morbidelli.
