{"id":3793,"date":"2026-10-11T05:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=3793"},"modified":"2026-10-11T06:36:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T09:36:39","slug":"fernandez-races-with-two-broken-fingers-to-finish-second-after-mandalika-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/fernandez-races-with-two-broken-fingers-to-finish-second-after-mandalika-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Fern\u00e1ndez races with two broken fingers to finish second after Mandalika clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez finished second in the Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix despite racing with two broken fingers<\/strong> following Saturday&#8217;s sprint collision with Marco Bezzecchi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Trackhouse rider revealed that <strong>he had kept the second fracture secret<\/strong> and needed to change his braking technique to compete.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fern\u00e1ndez led the first 18 laps at Mandalika<\/strong> before Bezzecchi overtook him, eventually finishing 4.260s behind the race winner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez has revealed that <strong>he raced the Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix with two fractured fingers<\/strong>, concealing the full extent of his injury before producing a remarkable second-place finish at Mandalika on Sunday, October 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Trackhouse Aprilia rider suffered the injuries during Saturday&#8217;s opening-corner collision with Marco Bezzecchi, an incident that had initially left his participation in the Grand Prix uncertain. Despite the pain, Fern\u00e1ndez returned to the circuit, started from pole position and led the first 18 laps before being overtaken by the same rider involved in his sprint accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fern\u00e1ndez eventually finished second, 4.260s behind Bezzecchi<\/strong>, helping Aprilia secure an unprecedented sweep of the first four positions, with Jorge Mart\u00edn third and Ai Ogura fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DS_9865-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1020317642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DS_9865-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DS_9865-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DS_9865-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DS_9865-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DS_9865-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DS_9865-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez (Photo: MotoGP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fern\u00e1ndez had initially reported a single fractured finger following Saturday&#8217;s collision, but admitted after Sunday&#8217;s race that the injury was more serious than he had disclosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYesterday, when I crashed and I saw my hand, I knew before going to the clinic that I had my finger broken, the one that normally I used to brake,\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez said after the Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis morning, when I woke up, I realised I don&#8217;t have one, but two fingers broken. No one knew. I tried to say nothing, just keep the pain for me and keep my focus on the race.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The revelation came after Fern\u00e1ndez had received medical clearance to participate in Sunday&#8217;s activities, although he still needed to establish whether he could physically control the motorcycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Saturday, the Spaniard had <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/fernandez-fractures-finger-in-mandalika-crash-and-blasts-unprofessional-bezzecchi\/\">accused Bezzecchi of unprofessional riding following their collision<\/a><\/strong>, which eliminated both Aprilia riders at the first corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fern\u00e1ndez had qualified on pole for the first time in MotoGP earlier that day, but the sprint accident left him facing the possibility of missing Sunday&#8217;s race altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trackhouse changes motorcycle as Fern\u00e1ndez relearns braking technique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The injury was particularly difficult because one of the fractured fingers was the one Fern\u00e1ndez normally used to operate the front brake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Spaniard explained that his team had to make adjustments to the motorcycle&#8217;s controls to allow him to ride without relying on his usual braking technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis morning, I tried to find a solution on the brakes, because I was not able to use the finger that I use normally,\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez said. \u201cI started everything from zero. It was a very difficult job for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking to MotoGP&#8217;s <em>After the Flag<\/em>, Fern\u00e1ndez explained that the problem was not simply finding a comfortable position on the handlebars. He had to change how he braked and adapt his reference points around the circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe team did some changes on the position of my hand, a little change in position of the brake,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe reference for how I brake, for how I take the corners, was completely different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fern\u00e1ndez tested the adjustments during Sunday&#8217;s warm-up and was able to start the Grand Prix, although the physical demands became increasingly difficult as the race progressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter 13, 14 laps I was almost destroyed. I felt super painful because to keep my focus on the handlebar and not make a mistake was super difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fern\u00e1ndez leads 18 laps before Bezzecchi takes victory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the injuries, Fern\u00e1ndez made a strong start from pole and defended the lead when Bezzecchi attempted to attack at Turn 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two riders quickly established themselves at the front, benefiting from Aprilia&#8217;s superior pace around Mandalika&#8217;s flowing corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fern\u00e1ndez maintained first place throughout the opening half of the 27-lap race, with Bezzecchi remaining close enough to challenge as the laps progressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Italian eventually completed the decisive overtake at Turn 1 on lap 19, taking the lead from Fern\u00e1ndez and opening a gap during the closing stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fern\u00e1ndez continued despite the pain and held on to second place, securing his second Grand Prix podium of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/bezzecchi-beats-fernandez-as-aprilia-sweeps-indonesian-motogp-top-four\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO reported Bezzecchi&#8217;s victory and Aprilia&#8217;s historic top-four finish<\/a><\/strong>, with Mart\u00edn third and Ogura fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result was particularly significant given the events of Saturday, when Fern\u00e1ndez had been left furious with Bezzecchi following the collision that injured his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fern\u00e1ndez strengthens seventh place in MotoGP championship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fern\u00e1ndez&#8217;s second place earned him <strong>20 championship points<\/strong>, taking his season total to <strong>236<\/strong> and strengthening his seventh position in the Riders&#8217; Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result also helped Trackhouse Aprilia reach <strong>495 points<\/strong> in the Teams&#8217; Championship, leaving the American-owned team just 24 behind Ducati Lenovo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aprilia Racing extended its lead in the Teams&#8217; Championship, while the manufacturer also moved ahead of Ducati in the Constructors&#8217; Championship following its historic 1-2-3-4 finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jorge Mart\u00edn&#8217;s third place allowed him to regain the Riders&#8217; Championship lead from Marc M\u00e1rquez, with the Spaniards separated by only two points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/martin-retakes-motogp-lead-by-2-points-as-aprilia-overtakes-ducati-after-indonesia\/\">complete MotoGP riders&#8217;, teams&#8217; and constructors&#8217; standings after Indonesia<\/a><\/strong> are available in <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next round takes place at Phillip Island, Australia, from October 23\u201325, with Fern\u00e1ndez facing another demanding weekend as he recovers from the injuries sustained at Mandalika.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> provides full coverage of the <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/\">MotoGP<\/a> championship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez reveals he concealed a second broken finger after Saturday&#8217;s sprint crash and had to relearn how to brake before leading 18 laps of the Indonesian Grand Prix<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020317899,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez","42wp_featured_image_credits":"AFP","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":140,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[38],"tags":[581,173,180,270],"42wp_author":[140],"class_list":["post-3793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-motogp","tag-indonesian-gp","tag-marco-bezzecchi","tag-raul-fernandez","tag-trackhouse","42wp_author-kaio-esteves"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3793"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3794,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3793\/revisions\/3794"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020317899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3793"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=3793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}