MotoGP champion Jorge Martin suffers six fractures in Qatar GP crash

Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin has been diagnosed with six fractures following a crash on his return from injury at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Updated story: Aprilia issues fresh update on MotoGP champion Jorge Martin after Qatar GP crash

The Aprilia rider has been sidelined with multiple injuries since crashing early on day one of the pre-season test in Malaysia in February.

He suffered more fractures, including to his left wrist, in a crash while training ahead of the Thai Grand Prix and was forced to miss the first three grands prix.

Cleared to return to action this weekend in Qatar, Martin put together a solid first weekend on the factory Aprilia.

Qualifying 14th and just under a tenth and a half outside of a Q2 place, Martin ran at the fringes of the top 10 in the sprint before fading to 16th.

Sunday’s 22-lap grand prix looked to be even more difficult for Martin, who was out of the points when he crashed going through the fast Turn 12 right-hander on lap 14.

He needed medical attention from the marshals at the side of the track before being taken to the medical centre for checks.

Aprilia confirmed that he didn’t injure any of his limbs, but was taken to hospital for further examination.

A brief statement from the team read: “Jorge Martin suffered a chest trauma, the rider is conscious without problems with his limbs.

“Rib contusion on the right thorax with pneumothorax.

“He will be taken to the hospital to perform a CT [scan] for in-depth investigation.”

A fresh update from the Italian marque says Martin will remain in hospital in Doha for a few days for treatment on a collapsed lung. 

"Jorge Martín underwent a CT scan that showed an increase in the pneumothorax, this will make it necessary to place a drainage in aspiration," the statement read. "The rider will have to remain under observation for a few days in the hospital until the pneumothorax resolves."

The team has since confirmed that Martin has also been diagnosed with six fractures to his ribs, with a statement reading: "The final examination also showed the presence of six fractures of the right posterior costal arches, from one to six."

Aprilia endured a difficult Qatar GP on Sunday, with its top rider Marco Bezzechi in 10th and 14.3s off of race winner Marc Marquez.

The Italian marque's CEO Massimo Rivola expressed disappointment for Aprilia's showing in Qatar, while stating that it "stands with" Martin.

“Our performance in the race was not up to expectations," he said. 

"We’ll continue working with Marco to be more incisive in the opening stages of the race and in time-attacks. Nevertheless, performance moves to the back burner today and our thoughts are with Jorge at this difficult period – we stand with him.”

The next grand prix will be held at Jerez in Spain in two weeks, which Jorge Martin would have been eyeing as a perfect opportunity to further his adaptation to the RS-GP given the post-race test on the Monday after the event.