Moto2: Tito Rabat breaks collarbone

"Thankfully he walked away with only a broken collarbone, as it could have been much worse"

05 Jul 2015

Reigning Moto2 world champion Tito Rabat has broken his right collarbone in a training accident.

The accident occurred due to a mechanical failure while braking for turn one at Almeria, the Spanish circuit where Rabat frequently trains between races.

After initial treatment the 26-year-old Spaniard travelled to Barcelona where he underwent surgery to plate the fracture on Saturday evening.

"The surgery was to treat Tito Rabat's fractured right collarbone, reducing the five fragments and affixing a titanium plate," said Doctor Xavier Mir. "Tito was also treated for an injury to his left thumb, with a skin graft performed to replace the skin lost in the crash."

However the Marc VDS Kalex rider insists he will be fit to ride in next weekend's German Grand Prix at Sachsenring.

"I was doing my normal training at Almeria when there was a problem with the bike as I was braking for the first turn and I went down quite hard," Rabat said. "I knew straight away that I'd broken something, and the medical staff at the circuit confirmed this.

"I immediately called Doctor Angel Charte to arrange things before jumping on a plane to Barcelona. With Sachsenring only a few days away it was important to get the fracture plated as soon as possible, to give me the maximum recovery time.

"The surgery was a success and I will definitely be fit to ride in Germany, after which we have a three-week break in which I can recover fully.

"I'd like to thank the medics and staff at Almeria, for their assistance immediately after the crash, and Doctor Xavier Mir and his team who, once again, have done a fantastic job."

Rabat, who has taken one win so far this season, is currently second in the 2015 title standings - but already 45 points behind Johann Zarco.

"Riders need to train and there is always a risk involved, especially when they are training on track at speed," said team principal Michael Bartholemy. "Tito does a lot of laps at Almeria, normally without incident, but this time he was caught out at one of the fastest parts of the circuit by a mechanical failure.
Thankfully he walked away with only a broken collarbone, as it could have been much worse.

"The collarbone has now been plated and he will be fit to race in Germany next weekend. I'm sure it will be an uncomfortable injury, especially at a stop start circuit like Sachsenring, but I'm equally sure it will only motivate Tito further. After Germany he will have a full three weeks to recover before we head to the US for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis."