A first check-up along the route did not reveal any breaks. However, Aprilia has now confirmed that Aleix Espargaro was diagnosed with a heel fracture in his right foot following further medical tests on Monday.
The Spaniard fell in the fourth free practice session of the MotoGP weekend at Silverstone at 185 km/h with a highsider and first had to be carried away on a stretcher. He was checked at the track’s medical center and then took part in qualifying, where he took sixth place on the grid.
However, it was initially unclear whether he would be able to start on Sunday. However, Espargaro was declared fit to race and finished ninth in the Grand Grix.
Back in Spain, the Aprilia driver was examined again in detail in Barcelona on Monday. The fracture in question was discovered. But Aprilia reassured: “The injury does not require surgical treatment.”
“Aleix has been prescribed seven days of absolute rest using crutches to avoid putting weight on his injured foot,” the team said in a statement. “The goal is to be in the best physical condition at the next race weekend (19th of August 21st in Austria).”
Despite the injury and the limitations it caused, Espargaro lost just one point in the race to World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo, who finished eighth. Quartararo’s lead in the championship is now 22 points. Silverstone winner Francesco Bagnaia was able to catch up to 49 points.