Morbidelli to attempt Sachsenring return

Franco Morbidelli hopes to make a return to MotoGP action at this weekend's Sachsenring round.

The Marc VDS Honda rider fractured the third metacarpal in his left hand during Saturday morning practice at Assen, ruling him out of the Dutch race.

Morbidelli to attempt Sachsenring return

Franco Morbidelli hopes to make a return to MotoGP action at this weekend's Sachsenring round.

The Marc VDS Honda rider fractured the third metacarpal in his left hand during Saturday morning practice at Assen, ruling him out of the Dutch race.

But the Italian - tipped to join the new SIC satellite Yamaha team in 2019 - did not require surgery and hopes to have recovered enough to be passed fit by medical officials for this weekend's German Grand Prix.

If Morbidelli is not passed fit to ride, Marc VDS will announce a replacement rider on Thursday.

"The injured left hand has recovered quite well and I decided to travel to Germany," Morbidelli said.

"Doctors will make some checks on Thursday in Sachsenring to find out about my condition and to decide if I’m ready to race or not. 

"Last year I won in Germany my sixth race of the season and also became championship leader, so I keep very good memories from Sachsenring.”

Morbidelli is currently two-points ahead of Tech3's Hafizh Syahrin in the battle for Rookie of the Year honours. 

While Morbidelli has been recovering, team-mate Thomas Luthi took part in a private Honda test at Brno.

The Swiss star, along with fellow rookie Xavier Simeon, are the only riders yet to score a world championship point in 2018.

“Sachsenring is a track I like a lot and it is a pleasure for me to ride there because I have always had great support and many people come from Switzerland to cheer me on as well," Luthi said.

"It is where I made my debut in the World Championship in 2002, so I have some great memories and that makes it special for me too. The track is tricky because of its tight layout and there are a lot of left-hand corners which make it quite unique. 

"I am sure it will feel even shorter on a MotoGP bike but I am relishing the challenge and after the positive test in Brno I am hoping this weekend can finally be the one in which I break into the top 15.”
 

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