World Champion Jorge Martin says he is still experiencing “intense pain” due to injuries he suffered at the Qatar MotoGP round on Sunday.
Martin returned to race action in Qatar after missing the opening three rounds of the season due to injuries picked up in pre-season testing and a training incident.
On his return, he suffered a crash towards the end of the QatarGP and was struck by Fabio Di Giannantonio, which has left the Spanish rider with 11 fractured ribs and a collapsed lung.
The reigning World Champion remains in the Hamad hospital in Qatar and will miss the next round of the season, with Lorenzo Savadori coming in to replace him.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported me,” Martin said in a statement from Aprilia.
“These have been difficult days, but now I’m starting to move a bit more and feel better, although the pain is still intense.
“I’d like to thank Aprilia, my fans and everyone who is helping me. I will continue to fight to be one of the strongest ever”.
“Jorge Martín remains in the intensive care unit at Hamad Hospital,” MotoGP medical director Angel Charte said.
“His injuries are progressing satisfactorily. The chest drainage for his hemopneumothorax is progressing favorably.
“His pain is under control, despite the rib fractures he has. For now, he must continue with the pulmonary drainage process until it is 90% resolved.
“After that, it will take some days before he can be transferred by medical aircraft to our hospital. He is also in a cheerful and strong mood.
“We must give him time until the clinical process is resolved, so that he can be transferred”.
