Bagnaia suffers tibia fracture, will miss Czech and Austria MotoGP

Pecco Bagnaia is out of the Czech Republic MotoGP and next weekend’s Austrian MotoGP at least after he was confirmed with a fractured tibia as the result of his accident during FP1 in Brno.

The Italian crashed his Pramac Ducati heavily at turn one during the closing stages of the first practice session to necessitate a trip to the medical centre.

Advised to undergo an MRI scan at Brno University Hospital, those scans have revealed Bagnaia has fractured his right tibia, requiring immediate surgery.

As a result, Bagnaia is confirmed to be out of this weekend’s Brno race and also Round 4 at the Red Bull Ring, while Round 5 a week later at the same Austrian venue is also under threat for the Italian.

"Right now, he’s undergoing an MRI and after that we will know more,” Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti told MotoGP’s Simon Crafar ahead of the confirmation.

“For sure, he will not ride here, and most probably in Austria it will be really tough. Before creating some fake news or something that can be misunderstood we will wait for the results of the MRI and the doctor will say what's going on."

The news is a bitter blow for Bagnaia at a crucial moment for his career, having come close to a maiden MotoGP podium last time out in Jerez.

On that occasion a technical problem prevented him from completing the second place finish he was heading for, though his 2020 form is understood to have elevated his status as a potential alternative to Andrea Dovizioso should Ducati not reach an agreement with the triple MotoGP runner-up for 2021.

Moreover, with the Brno and Red Bull Ring expected to suit the Ducati GP20, the chance for a brace of good results has now gone for the 2018 Moto2 World Champion.