Dani Pedrosa has been forced to abandon MotoGP pre-season testing plans with KTM to undergo surgery on a double stress fracture of the right collarbone sustained “unexpectedly”.
Pedrosa brought his 18-year grand prix career to an end at the conclusion of last season's Valencia Grand Prix, though the 31-time MotoGP race winner will remain in the paddock after penning a two-year contract with KTM to become one of its official test riders.
Originally set to make his debut outing on the RC16 at the Sepang test next month, Pedrosa completed two private days on the bike at Jerez last month.
However, a “complex” collarbone fracture, which was sustained in a “gesture of strength” and the resulting tissue repair surgery means Pedrosa will not be present at either of the pre-season tests in February.
A statement from the Spaniard read: “Unexpectedly I had a double stress fracture in the right collarbone, just in a gesture of strength.
“Over the years I have had several fractures in that area and the last time was in three parts, leaving it sclerotic.
“The middle part does not have enough blood flow, creating osteoporosis, so it requires an effective solution to regenerate the bone and achieve adequate recovery.
“After undergoing several tests and medical consultations, the clear recommendation is the total recovery and bone health.”
He added: “I thank KTM for their great support for my full recovery. We are very excited about the work we are doing, and that is why I want to be physically in the best conditions for that exciting task.
“For me, the challenge does not stop.”
Pedrosa endured a career blighted by injury, the latest of which was a wrist fracture sustained in a crash on the opening lap of last year's Argentine Grand Prix.
Fellow KTM test rider Mika Kallio has been sidelined since the German Grand Prix after injuring his knee during a wildcard outing, with former grand prix rider Randy de Puniet deputising.
Pedrosa and Kallio will make up KTM's official test team in 2019, though the former is not expected to make any wildcard appearances, while KTM is keen to keep Kallio's race outings to a minimum after it felt they distracted the test team too much in 2018.
