Augusto Fernandez undergoes successful left thumb surgery

Moto2 rider Augusto Fernandez has undergone successful surgery to his left thumb after suffering a training accident on Thursday. 

The new Red Bull KTM Ajo rider crashed during motorcycle training which left the three-time Moto2 race winner with an ‘extra-articular fracture to the first metacarpal of his left thumb’.

Fernandez, who was treated by Dr. Xavier Mir, will remain in hospital for 24 hours before beginning his recovery program. 

A statement from the Red Bull KTM Ajo team said: “Augusto Fernandez underwent successful surgery at the Hospital Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona on Friday, to treat an extra-articular fracture to the first metacarpal of his left thumb. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider had suffered a crash on Thursday during a training session on a motorcycle, incurring the fracture.

“Dr. Xavier Mir, Director of the Hand, Elbow and Microsurgery Surgery Unit (ICATME), together with his team, was in charge of the procedure. Fernandez will remain hospitalised for 24 hours, beginning a functional recovery programme within 72 hours.”

Fernandez will form part of an all-Spanish line-up for the current world champions as he and Moto3 champion Pedro Acosta replace MotoGP rookies Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez. 

This switch to Red Bull KTM Ajo signifies a third change of teams in five years after Fernandez spent the 2018-19 season with Pons HP Racing and 2020-21 with Elf Marc VDS. 

Fernandez is currently scheduled to take part in the lone official Moto2 pre-season test on February 19-21 at Portimao, before the season opener at the Losail International Circuit, Qatar, on March 4-6.