Francesco Bagnaia ruled out of Qatar Grand Prix following foot fractures
Francesco Bagnaia will miss the remainder of the Qatar MotoGP weekend after sustaining two fractures in his right foot during the Saturday sprint race. The Ducati rider suffered the injury during a collision with Fermin Aldeguer on the opening lap at the Lusail International Circuit, detikSport reported.
Medical officials confirmed the severity of the crash shortly after the incident. Angel Charte, the MotoGP Medical Director, stated that initial examinations at the circuit’s medical center revealed fractures to the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones. Bagnaia was transported to a hospital in Doha for further assessment to determine if the injuries require surgical intervention.
The collision occurred at the final corner of the opening lap. Contact from the Gresini Racing machine ridden by Aldeguer threw Bagnaia into the air, forcing him to hit the asphalt with significant force. Race direction immediately displayed the red flag to allow marshals to evacuate the rider, who was conscious during the process.
Fermin Aldeguer penalized for opening lap collision
FIM stewards reviewed the incident between Bagnaia and Aldeguer and found the Gresini rider at fault. Officials issued a double long-lap penalty to Aldeguer for the sprint race, which was restarted as a 10-lap contest.
The sprint race victory was eventually claimed by Marc Marquez, with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Jorge Martin rounding out the podium. The exclusion of Bagnaia from the Sunday grand prix alters the starting grid, as Aprilia’s Jorge Martin moves from 11th to 10th position for the main event.
Ducati season remains in crisis
This injury marks the latest setback in a difficult 2026 campaign for Bagnaia. Before the crash, the two-time world champion had yet to win a grand prix this season and had already recorded eight retirements.
The timing of the injury complicates the final stages of Bagnaia’s tenure with the Ducati factory team. With races remaining in Portimao and Valencia, his status for the rest of the season remains uncertain. Ducati confirmed that he will not participate in Sunday’s race, leaving his upcoming schedule—including a planned test session with Aprilia on December 1—in doubt.
Crash for @PeccoBagnaia, involved in an incident with @Aldeguer54 #QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/McCgVuCxff
Frequently asked questions about the Qatar sprint race incident
How long will Francesco Bagnaia be sidelined?
While Ducati has confirmed he is out for the remainder of the Qatar Grand Prix, the team has not provided a timeline for his return. Further evaluation at a hospital in Doha is required to determine if the metatarsal fractures require surgery.
What was the specific cause of the red flag?
The race was halted after Fermin Aldeguer collided with the rear of Bagnaia’s motorcycle at the final corner of the first lap. The impact caused Bagnaia to crash heavily, necessitating his evacuation by medical staff.
Did the sprint race continue after the incident?
Yes, the race was restarted after a delay to clear the track. It was shortened to a 10-lap format, which was ultimately won by Marc Marquez.
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