Fernandez set for return in Thailand MotoGP test after successful surgery

Raul Fernandez will be able to take part in next week’s MotoGP test at Buriram after undergoing successful surgery on his fractured finger on Thursday afternoon.

The Trackhouse rider suffered a bad crash on the opening day of pre-season testing at Turn 9 at Sepang, breaking his left hand’s little finger and hitting his left foot.

After undergoing an initial check-up at Sepang International Circuit, Fernandez had to fly back to Barcelona on Wednesday afternoon due to his finger injury. “The injury to the foot is a small crack that does not require surgery,” it was reported.

Fernandez landed in Spain early on Thursday and headed straight to Hospital Universitari Dexeus, where doctor Xavier Mir was waiting for him.

Following several tests to rule out other injuries, the Spaniard was operated on by a team led by surgeon Mir’s team.

“The operation was a success,” Fernandez’s spokesman declared. “He suffered a clean fracture, without displacement, at the base of the little finger of the left hand. They have reduced the fracture and placed a small pin to stabilise it.

“Raul will be able to start rehabilitation immediately and travel to Thailand for the next test.”

Unlike factory Aprilia rider Jorge Martin, who suffered a severe blow to the head and had to spend 24 hours in hospital for observation after being concussed but not unconscious, Trackhouse racer Fernandez was not hit in the head and was able to board a plane on Wednesday night. 

Martin, on the other hand, had to wait until Thursday before flying back to Spain and won’t undergo surgery on the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand until Friday.

Also leaving Malaysia on Thursday was VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, who suffered a fractured left collarbone and will now travel to Rome for an operation on his left shoulder. The surgery will be performed this weekend.

He had previously injured the same shoulder during the Austrian Grand Prix in August last year. After undergoing surgery performed by Professor Castagna on 2 November, he missed the final two rounds of 2024 and completed his rehabilitation.

The Buriram test is scheduled for 12-13 February.