News Summary
- Francesco Bagnaia will undergo surgery in Italy after fracturing two bones in his right foot in Saturday’s Qatar MotoGP sprint.
- Fermín Aldeguer hit the rear of Bagnaia’s Ducati at the final corner. The crash brought out the red flag, and Aldeguer served a double long-lap penalty after the restart.
- Bagnaia will miss Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix. Ducati expects surgery on November 9 or 10, with Portugal and Valencia still to come.
Francesco Bagnaia will undergo surgery in Italy after fracturing the fourth and fifth metatarsals in his right foot in Saturday’s Qatar MotoGP sprint. Ducati said on Sunday that Bagnaia would leave Qatar that afternoon and that it expected the operation to take place on Monday, November 9, or Tuesday, November 10.
The circuit medical centre identified both fractures after the crash at Lusail. MotoGP medical director Ángel Charte initially said Bagnaia would be taken to hospital in Doha for further tests to determine whether he needed surgery. Ducati subsequently confirmed that he would be operated on in Italy. The team has yet to announce when he can ride again.
Bagnaia addressed fans on Instagram on Sunday. “It feels strange to say it, but Qatar has actually been one of the best weekends of the season for me,” he wrote. He thanked fans for their messages and added, “I’m okay.”
How the crash ended Bagnaia’s Qatar weekend
Bagnaia had been fourth in Friday Practice, securing a direct place in Q2, and qualified fifth on Saturday. He was in the lead group when Aldeguer, who was trying to pass Pedro Acosta, hit the rear of the factory Ducati under braking for Turn 16, the final corner.
The contact threw Bagnaia from the bike. Race direction stopped the sprint while he received trackside treatment, and he was taken away on a stretcher. Bagnaia missed the restart, which was shortened to 10 laps. Aldeguer served a double long-lap penalty and finished 11th.
“First of all, I want to apologise to Pecco and the team,” Aldeguer said after the sprint, as reported by Motorsport.com. He explained that he had moved off the racing line to try to regain a place from Acosta and had been unable to slow the bike as he intended.
Marc Márquez won the restarted sprint and will be the sole factory Ducati rider in Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix. He starts second behind Marco Bezzecchi with a 49-point lead over Jorge Martín and his first chance to clinch the 2026 title.
What the surgery means for Bagnaia’s final races with Ducati
MotoGP races at Portimão on November 22 and closes the season at Valencia on November 29. Ducati says it will monitor Bagnaia’s recovery before assessing a return. Qatar is the only race he has been ruled out of so far.
Those are the last two Grands Prix of Bagnaia’s Ducati contract. The two-time premier-class champion is joining Aprilia in 2027. The first opportunity to ride for his new team is the post-season test at Valencia, scheduled for December 1. His participation will depend on his recovery.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Qatar Grand Prix in MotoGP.
