Fabio Di Giannantonio has revealed he will undergo surgery on his left shoulder after the Thai MotoGP Grand Prix race weekend.
The VR46 Ducati rider will consequently miss the rest of the 2024 MotoGP season to be ready to test his GP25 spec Ducati at the end-of-season test.
After the last round at Motegi, the Italian went back to Europe for an “important appointment” to discuss with medical experts about the severity of his injuries.
Di Giannantonio dislocated his shoulder in Austria around the Red Bull Ring in August, which has led to him playing catch-up in the rounds since then.
On Thursday, ahead of the Australian race weekend at Phillip Island, the Roman revealed his next steps in the recovery process.
“On the one hand, as a team, I am really sorry to have to give this news, because I know how much effort Fabio has put in these last months after the crash,” said VR46 team director Alessio Salucci. “It wasn’t easy, but he always gave his best.
“This decision doesn’t come by chance, he could have continued to race until Valencia, but this would have meant postponing the surgery until the end of November.
“There wouldn’t have been enough time to optimise the recovery and rehabilitation and this would have certainly affected his physical condition in view of the start of the next season.
“It’s a decision totally shared with Fabio, all the medical staff, Professor Castagna and also our partners who support us in this project.”
Fabio Di Giannanatonio wants to be 100% heading in the 2025 season
The 26-year-old opted for surgery to ensure he would regain full fitness going into the 2025 season.
The Italian will be the sole satellite rider on a GP25 Ducati factory-spec bike, and the Italian believes that the best course of action is to return to fully fit.
Diggia’s surgery will occur after Thailand; therefore, he will participate in two more races before using the long winter period to regain full fitness.
He will be back for the first test of the 2025 season at Sepang in Mayalysia from February 5th-7th.
“I would have liked to race until Valencia, close the season in the best possible way with the Team and then take all the time necessary to deal with the surgery, recovery and rehabilitation,” di Giannantonio said.
“Unfortunately, however, the calendar is really demanding, the winter break is so short and we cannot risk not arriving at the peak of physical condition at the start of the 2025.
“Together with the Team, the medical staff and Professor Castagna, we evaluated in the week after the Thai GP the maximum limit to be able to proceed with the shoulder surgery.
“I thought about it for a long time, because it was important for me to give my all until the last race to repay everyone for the great trust they gave me in this 2024, but I am sure that this decision will be really important for my future.”
