Horror MotoGP crash as rider Álex Márquez rushed to hospital after off-track flip that caused carnage
MotoGP riders Álex Márquez and Johann Zarco were taken to hospital after they crashed in separate incidents at the Catalunya Grand Prix on Monday.
Both were conscious after the crashes. Márquez was scheduled to undergo surgery later Monday to stabilise his right clavicle. He also fractured his vertebra and "further evaluation will be completed next week," his team said.
Márquez was attended by doctors on the track and was transported to the hospital in an ambulance for "further evaluation," according to race officials. Spanish media, citing sources close to the rider, said his injuries were not life-threatening.
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Alex Marquez of Spain crashes. Getty
Márquez' motorcycle flipped over several times after he was thrown to the ground following a collision with then-race leader Pedro Acosta.
Acosta had slowed down suddenly after an issue with his motorcycle and Márquez couldn't avoid him on the back straight. The impact sent Márquez hurtling off the track at high speed.
His bike quickly fell apart and debris struck other riders, including Fabio Di Giannantonio and Raúl Fernández.
The race, at about the halfway mark, was red-flagged.
Márquez took to social media to let everyone know that he is OK.
"Everything under control!! Time to go into the operating room tonight, but I couldn't be in better hands. Huge thanks to everyone for your concern and for the loving messages I'm receiving," he posted in Spanish.
Another red flag stopped the race on the ensuing restart after the accident involving Zarco, whose leg got entangled on the rear of another rider's motorcycle. Zarco was trapped as the bike flipped over several times.
Zarco's team said he was not in critical condition when he was taken to the circuit's medical centre. He was eventually taken to a hospital for further examination of his leg.
The race was later restarted and Di Giannantonio, who was able to make it back to the grid after the first crash, won the race.