He would not should apologise for a wheelie

VR46 says Fabio Di Giannantonio doesn’t have to apologise for performing a wheelie regardless of getting injured on the opening day of MotoGP testing at Sepang.

Di Giannantonio received to check out the brand new Ducati GP25 for the primary time on Wednesday, having missed November’s take a look at at Barcelona to finish his post-injury rehabilitation.

It was a productive day for the one-time grand prix winner, as he ended up seventh within the classification with a time that was 0.710s down on pacesetter Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha.

Nonetheless, after the session was over, the 26-year-old crashed whereas doing a wheelie, sustaining a fracture to his left collarbone within the course of.

It marked a untimely finish to his look within the Sepang take a look at, as he needed to fly again to Italy to endure an operation on his shoulder.

“By the top [of the day] we had arrange the bike and Diggia began to go actually quick,” crew director Uccio Salucci informed GPOne.

“He did his finest occasions on used tyres and we had been actually glad. The day was actually entering into the best path.

“We stopped and Diggia went out to follow for the beginning.

“Between Flip 4 and 5 MotoGP riders need to do a wheelie. When it’s worthwhile to set your lap time, we will’t permit that, however whenever you need to have enjoyable you do [have fun]. Riders are born to do wheelies.

“Sadly, immediately’s MotoGP bikes don’t even permit you these little distractions, however they do it anyway.

“The entrance wheel slowed an excessive amount of in comparison with the rear, and the entrance, when he touched the bottom, closed up unexpectedly. He crashed and broke his collarbone.”

Regardless of the implications, VR46 shouldn’t be upset with Di Giannantonio, admitting that it was solely pure for him to need to have some enjoyable as soon as the clock had stopped.

It was additionally Di Giannantonio’s first outing on a MotoGP bike for the reason that Thailand Grand Prix in October, having skipped the final two races of 2024 to get well from a earlier operation on the identical left shoulder.

“He was very, very sorry and apologised to the entire crew,” mentioned Salucci. “I don’t desire a rider to apologise as a result of he did a wheelie, riders should have enjoyable. I grew up like that.

“He was very sorry as a result of, after a troublesome yr, yesterday he had discovered a motorcycle that made him smile each time he went out on it.”

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Group

Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures

Di Giannantonio had damaged the identical left shoulder throughout a crash in follow for the Austrian GP in August.

Nonetheless, this time, preliminary check-ups instructed that the accidents aren’t as extreme, that means he’ll face a shorter restoration interval.

However even then, he received’t be match to participate in subsequent week’s Buriram take a look at, and must begin the brand new season in March with simply 49 laps on the brand new Desmosedici.

“The fracture is compound,” revealed Salucci. “We took X-rays and instantly known as Professor Castagna, the physician who operated on him in November. Fabio has already left for Italy and can have surgical procedure between Friday and Sunday, on the docs’ discretion.

“This isn’t similar to the harm Fabio had final yr, when his humerus got here out. The clavicle is a extra trivial harm – so to talk – for a rider.

“I do not forget that Bezzecchi, after an identical fracture, was on the rostrum within the dash at Mandalika 5 days after the operation, so we’re optimistic.

“I’m getting forward of myself, we have now to attend for the medical checks, however Professor Castagna informed us it isn’t a foul fracture. If the whole lot goes nicely, Di Giannantonio may come again for Buriram, I’m speaking concerning the GP as a result of for testing it’s dominated out.”