After sustaining several injuries in a heavy fall during the recent Sepang test, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda’s Tito Rabat will have to miss this week’s second pre-season test at Phillip Island.
Rabat, the 2014 Moto2 world champion, suffered a distal fracture of the radius and a fracture of the fifth metacarpal in the right hand, as well as a fracture to the distal phalanx in the right foot in a crash at Turn 11 in Malaysia.
He also suffered a severe laceration to his left knee, and it is this injury that will force the Spaniard to miss the three-day test in Australia. Despite his best efforts during his rehabilitation process following surgery, Rabat has not regained enough mobility in his knee to allow him to ride.
After a tough maiden season in the premier class last year, this is not good news for Rabat. However, the Marc VDS rider will be looking to be fit enough to ride in the final three-day pre-season outing in Qatar beginning on March 10.
Michael Bartholemy, Marc VDS team principal said: “Tito has worked hard to be fit for the Phillip Island test, after sustaining quite debilitating injuries in Malaysia. While the fractures have healed nicely and wouldn’t have stopped him from riding in Australia, the knee injury is a different story altogether.
“Despite intensive physiotherapy he still doesn’t have the necessary extension in the joint and he risks popping the stitches – with the associated danger of infection – if he participates in the Phillip Island test.”
For the second year in succession, the Belgian squad will have just one representative at the Phillip Island test after Jack Miller missed last year’s to recover from a broken leg. The Australian, along with the remainder of the MotoGP paddock, will be in action from 09:45 local time tomorrow.
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