Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) has been successfully operated on after sustaining a hand injury in a freak gym training accident ahead of the EICMA Estoril Round. ‘Petrux’ was training with resistance bands before it came off and his right hand hit a metal wall, resulting in a fracture to the fourth metacarpal. Although he took part in FP1 at the Circuito Estoril, he was declared unfit with worsening symptoms to the injury. The Italian underwent surgery on Monday which included the insertion of a plate and eight screws to stabilise the fracture and he’s now aiming for a return to action this weekend. He will need to pass a pre-round medical check on Thursday.

A statement from Barni Ducati said: “The surgery on Danilo Petrucci’s right fourth metacarpal was successfully completed. After an accident during a gym training session, the rider still took part in Friday morning’s FP1 session. However, the condition of his hand worsened, forcing him to stop and leading doctors to declare him unfit to continue the race weekend. On Monday morning, Petrucci underwent surgery in Italy, during which a plate and eight screws were inserted to stabilise the fracture. He will now take a few days to rest, with the goal of returning to the track in Jerez for the final round of the season.”

Despite the setback in his fight for third in the World Championship standings, Petrucci remained in good spirits on social media, joking: “I wanted to treat myself with a third place in the Championship, but I preferred another plate and 8 screws on my right hand (now there are 3 plates and 25 screws).”

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