News

Just minutes into Imola’s Superstock 1000 race last Sunday, spectators and television viewers alike were surprised by the dramatic nature of Florian Marino’s crash. Entering the first Rivazza bend, the Frenchman spectacularly highsided out of the race, removing Raffaele de Rosa from the action in the process.

“De Rosa, who was in front of me, didn’t exit the Variente Alta chicane in the best way,” Marino explains in a telephone interview with WorldSBK.com.

“I got out of the corner a bit better than him and, in the next braking zone, I had more speed and tried to pass him. I thought I had passed him but I think he released the brakes to counter-attack from the outside. I realised I was going to hit him and thus tried to stop my bike as well as I could, using the rear brake. Unfortunately I lost control of my rear wheel and highsided. My bike then took him out.”

While out of the race, de Rosa escaped injuries, but the same could not be said for Marino walked away from the scene holding his wrist.

“I have paid a rather high price for my mistake because I have two fractures in the left forearm,” explains Marino, who underwent surgery on Sunday night. “I was taken care of immediately, as the doctors as the circuit took me to hospital and I had surgery. They used two plates and a few screws to fix the bones into position and ensure that they will be able to heal as quickly as possible.

“I stayed in hospital for two days and came back home on Tuesday. I started magnetic therapy rehabilitation on Wednesday morning. I also met with my doctor and we’re defining a rehabilitation programme so I can get back to racing as soon as possible. Donington is out of question for me but I might be ready in time for Portimao.”

The Portuguese Round, where Marino hopes to make his return, will take place at Portimao’s Autodromo Internacional do Algarve on Sunday 7 June.