Franco Morbidelli Injures Collarbone, to Miss German MotoGP
Franco Morbidelli will miss the German MotoGP with a severe contusion to his left collarbone. The 30-year-old Italian rider crashed out of the MotoGP sprint race at the Sachsenring on Saturday.
Morbidelli's crash occurred at high speed after touching a wet white line during the sprint, losing control of his Ducati at Turn 8 before cartwheeling multiple times through the gravel trap.
He was examined at the circuit medical centre and later transferred to hospital in Chemnitz for further evaluation. The injury was confirmed, and Morbidelli will undergo further checks with doctors in Italy on Monday.
The injury is a significant setback for Morbidelli, who had shown promising form in the sprint race. He started and navigated the first lap well, slotting into second behind Marco Bezzecchi's Aprilia.
Morbidelli's day could best be summed up as fast but fragile. Even with the accident in qualifying, he set a time good enough for fourth place on the starting grid.
A decision about Morbidelli's participation in the Czech Grand Prix will follow after the medical checks in Italy. The VR46 rider will join the entire Tech3 KTM team on the sidelines in Germany, along with Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales.
The grid for the German Grand Prix will feature only 18 riders, with the second LCR Honda also vacant following Somkiat Chantra's recent training accident. Morbidelli's injury is a blow to his chances in the championship, and he will be eager to return to action as soon as possible.
Morbidelli had set a time good enough for fourth place on the starting grid, a feat bettered in 2025 only by his front-row start in Aragon. His performance in the wet on Saturday did not quite match what he had produced on Friday in the dry.
The Italian rider will be hoping for a speedy recovery and a return to the track soon. His fans will be eagerly awaiting news of his progress and looking forward to seeing him back in action.
The German MotoGP will go ahead without Morbidelli, with the remaining riders competing for valuable points in the championship. The event promises to be an exciting one, with several top riders in contention for the top spot.
Morbidelli's injury is a reminder of the risks involved in MotoGP racing. The sport is known for its high speeds and dangerous conditions, and riders often push themselves to the limit in pursuit of victory.
Despite the setback, Morbidelli remains a talented and promising rider. He has shown his ability to compete at the highest level, and his fans will be hoping for a strong return to action in the near future.