UPDATE Alex Rins fracture: ‘I hope Taka is okay, but he can’t go on like this’
UPDATE: As suspected, Alex Rins has been diagnosed with a fractured left wrist following Sunday's Catalunya MotoGP accident.
'Rins will begin a program of recovery which will include his wrist being immobilised, regular icing and electromagnetic therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and rest', read a Suzuki statement.
'Naturally, he will now miss the Catalan Test taking place at Montmelò tomorrow, Monday 6th June. He will undergo further assessments and checks ahead of the next Grand Prix in Germany in two weeks’ time.'
Xavier Mir, Head of the Elbow, Hand and Microsurgery Unit at the Dexeus University Hospital said: “Alex Rins suffered a trauma to his left wrist, we performed a clinic, radiological, CT and MRI examinations which confirm: fracture of the body of the pyramidal bone of the left carpus, with significant perifracture bone edema.
"We believe it should be treated with rigid immobilisation and electromagnetic therapy for 10 days, performing another examination after this period of time.”
Nakagami fell under braking with his head then striking the rear wheel of Bagnaia’s Ducati, ripping off his visor and sending the Italian down, while Nakagami’s sliding bike wiped out Rins.
It was the second race in a row where Rins had fallen after tangling with the Japanese rider.
While quick to send his best wishes to Nakagami in terms of his condition, Rins had strong words for both the LCR rider and FIM Stewards.
“Well, sincerely, first of all I hope that Taka is OK, because I saw him in the hospital with the face very bad,” Rins began.
“But he cannot go on like this. He cannot ride like this. He was over the limit in that action.
“But the second thing is it's unacceptable and makes zero sense that Race Direction, the Stewards, say ‘no further action’ about what's happened in the race.
“Today they demonstrated that the Stewards are not at the level of MotoGP.”
The Suzuki rider added: “[Nakagami’s] bike touched me and I fly, so badly. I think my left wrist is broken. I will go now to [hospital] to check, but looks bad because I cannot move more than [a bit].
“For sure, I’m injured now. We are racing at 350 kilometres per hour and this is not a game, OK?
“So, as I said, they [the Stewards] are not at the level.
“First of all, Taka crossed the track a bit dangerously. If there were some riders a bit close to him, for sure he will touch them.
"Second, he braked so late and he loses the front. I mean, it's obvious no?”
Rins, already angry that no action had been taken against Nakagami after the Mugello clash, added that he will raise the issue of the FIM Stewards’ decisions again in the Safety Commission.
“For sure I will put pressure to [change the Stewards] because, forgetting about the incident in Mugello, today I’m injured. One rider took away [my] chances to fight for the championship, but also Pecco. Pecco was there also fighting for the championship and I think not anymore, this year,” Rins said.
“They need to change, all the three guys [Stewards] that are there. They are not doing their job well!”
Rins added that he didn’t try to speak with Nakagami, having seen the obvious pain the 30-year-old was in after the incident.
“I saw him with pain in the face,” he said.
After undergoing checks in the medical centre, Nakagami was sent to hospital for further scans, which fortunately confirmed he has suffered ‘no serious head injuries’ or broken bones.
Nakagami will remain in hospital overnight and is expected to be discharged tomorrow, but has been ruled out of Monday’s official test.
While also wishing Nakagami well, Bagnaia said: "I can't understand what he was expecting to do in this braking."
