Ducati Lenovo’s Enea Bastianini became a victim of the demanding new double-header MotoGP format after a coming together with Luca Marini during the Sprint Race at Portimao left him nursing a broken shoulder blade.
Considered one of the favourites for the 2023 MotoGP World Championship title following his move to the factory Ducati team this season, Bastianini got the inaugural 12-lap race off to a good start by surging from sixth to second by turn one.
However, after being bumped down to fourth through the opening turns and then to sixth as he began lap two, a lunge by Ducati stablemate Marini into Turn 5 resulted in a low-side that wiped Bastianini out.
With the cambered turn forcing Bastianini up before slapping him down hard again on his shoulder, the Italian looked in visible discomfort in the aftermath.
Taken to the medical centre for treatment, doctors confirmed a fractured right scapula (shoulder blade) that will keep him out of Sunday’s main Portuguese MotoGP and also next week’s Argentina MotoGP.
“Wish a speedy recovery to Bastianini following today’s injury,” read a tweet on Ducati Corse’s Twitter feed.
“Enea will be forced to sit out tomorrow’s race and next week in Argentina. Evolution of his conditions will determine his return to racing. Come back soon, Enea!”
Bastianini’s misfortune for the 2023 MotoGP opener is in stark contrast to that of 12 months ago when he powered to the first of his three wins in 2022 at the Qatar curtain raiser.
It also means Sunday’s MotoGP race has been reduced to just 20 riders following Pol Espargaro’s injury on Friday.
