Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaró faced a turbulent start to the Thai GP weekend with a heavy crash in FP1 that cast doubts over his participation. The veteran rider suffered a serious fall at Turn 12 of Chang International Circuit, forcing an early end to his session and a swift trip to the medical center for evaluation.
Espargaró, who showed visible signs of discomfort, underwent an immediate examination by Dr. Ángel Charte’s medical team. Fortunately, the doctors ruled out any serious injury, diagnosing only a minor trauma. However, after briefly returning to the track, Espargaró had to cut his session short and ultimately finished last in the day’s standings.
Following the session, Dr. Charte confirmed that further practice was not advised. Espargaró was later transferred to Buriram Hospital as a precaution, where additional tests again confirmed no fractures or serious injuries. Aprilia subsequently issued a statement, confirming that the rider was “fit” to compete in Saturday’s Sprint.
This weekend holds special significance for Espargaró, who is nearing the end of his career as an official MotoGP rider. With just two Grands Prix left before he transitions to a test role with Honda, the seasoned Aprilia rider is eager to continue competing at the highest level despite the setback.
Espargaró’s determination and the all-clear from his medical team mean fans can expect to see him back on track, with hopes of a strong performance in what is a meaningful penultimate race in his career.