AustralianGP: Raul Fernandez Ruled Out of Weekend and Sepang
Last year's Phillip Island victor withdraws from Sunday's main race and next week's Malaysian Grand Prix as soft-tissue inflammation proves too painful to continue.
Raul Fernandez has been forced to withdraw from the remainder of the Red Bull Grand Prix of Australia weekend, bringing a premature end to his campaign at Phillip Island
The SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team rider retired from Saturday's Tissot Sprint after completing eight laps, opting to pull into the pit lane as the pain from a fractured right index finger sustained in Indonesia two weeks ago became unmanageable
Despite qualifying a brilliant second row in sixth place for Sunday's 27-lap Grand Prix, the Spaniard and his team confirmed he will take no further part in the event
"Whilst the fracture is stable, severe inflammation to the soft tissue around the injury has made it impossible for the #25 to ride safely," Trackhouse Racing stated following medical checks at the circuit.
The withdrawal is a bitter pill to swallow for Fernandez, who celebrated a famous maiden MotoGP victory at Phillip Island last season
Compounding the disappointment, the recurring hand issue has also seen him declared unfit for next week's Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit
Fernandez will travel directly to Malaysia to seek further specialist medical attention and rehabilitation, with the target of returning to full fitness before the final rounds of the season
His absence leaves Aprilia depleted for Sunday's final MotoGP race at Phillip Island before the Australian round moves to Adelaide in 2027, following Jorge Martin's earlier withdrawal due to a fractured radius.
Credit Photo : Michelin
