Tech3 Yamaha MotoGP rookie Jonas Folger has finally had the illness which has forced him to miss the final four races of the season diagnoses and is now beginning recovery.
The German withdrew from the Japanese Grand Prix last month having been suffering from a suspected case of Epstein Barr virus. He missed the rest of the flyaways and will sit out this weekend’s finale in Valencia.
Extensive tests at home in Germany at the TU Munich and Department of Sports Medicine revealed the German actually has a strain of Gilbert Syndrome – a genetic disorder which stops the liver from processing toxins correctly.
Folger has suffered from the effects of this for several years, but was never properly diagnosed, and was rendered bedridden by his previous episode as his body shut down.
“It’s a huge relief that we now have a clear understanding of the situation and how to move forward,” said Folger.
“The past six weeks have been very difficult for me, not knowing why my body shut down completely.
“I’ve been living with elements of this since 2011, but I’ve always been able to overcome it and we never really knew what it was.
“It’s unfortunate that it took such a serious episode to finally diagnose the situation, but I’m just thankful we now have some answers.
“I miss my team and all my friends in the paddock. I’v received a lot of support from everyone on social media, not just fans but my competitors also and this means a lot to me.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Monster Yamaha Tech3 and all my sponsors for their belief in me and messages of support.
“I will be back and stronger than ever, fighting at the top of MotoGP.”
On top of his illness, the Tech3 rider also suffered damage to a nerve in his throat in a crash during practice for the Aragon Grand Prix. The team state this could take one to two years to fully heal.
Folger – who claimed a podium at his home race at the Sachsenring in his truncated debut season – is 10th in the standings on 84 points ahead of the final race.
He will be replaced by Yamaha World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark for the second race in succession, after the Dutchman deputised for him at Sepang last month.
