Mugello: Marc Marquez 'jumped to avoid wall'

"The bike was pulling me towards the wall so I jumped from the bike to avoid hitting it" - Marc Marquez.
Marquez' crashed bike, Italian MotoGP 2013
Marquez' crashed bike, Italian MotoGP 2013
© Gold and Goose

Rookie title contender Marc Marquez was fortunate to escape serious injury when he was forced to jump from his Repsol Honda after losing control along the fastest straight on the MotoGP calendar.

The incident occurred midway through Friday afternoon's second free practice for the Italian round at Mugello.

As Marquez came over a rise on the undulating 210mph plus main straight, he lost the front of his RCV under braking, causing him to veer off the circuit and onto the grass.

"Just after the hill on the straight I grabbed for the brakes but I closed the front. I tried to save it but the bike was pulling me towards the wall so I jumped from the bike to avoid hitting it," said Marquez.

Repsol Honda state that Marquez was travelling at 174mph (280km/h) when he was forced to jump off.

After skimming to a halt, medical staff were quick to reach Marquez, who was conscious but unable to stand and subsequently carried to a waiting ambulance on a stretcher.

Following 45 minutes in the medical centre the reigning Moto2 champion was taken for treatment in the clinica mobile with a heavily swollen chin - caused by the impact of his head hitting the ground - and some contusions to his shoulder, elbow and forearm.

"I hit my chin hard and strained my neck quite badly, I also have some contusions to my right shoulder, arm and leg but other than that I'm ok," he said. "Thanks to all the medical team that were quickly on the scene to assist me. Now I need to rest and see how I feel later tonight and in the morning"

Marquez had earlier been fastest in the damp morning session. The 20-year-old is presently second in the world championship behind team-mate Dani Pedrosa and the only rider to stand on the podium at all four events this year.

Marquez set the fastest speed of the day at 213mph (342km/h) just before his accident.

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