The Mooney VR46 Racing Team is currently facing a challenging situation as both of its riders underwent surgical procedures due to collarbone fractures. Luca Marini sustained his injury during the sprint race at the Indian GP, while Marco Bezzecchi was injured last Saturday while training at the Ranch.
Alessio Salucci, as reported by GPOne, announced, “Bezzechi will decide on Wednesday whether he will travel to Indonesia.” Bezzecchi’s injury occurred at the Ranch, and Salucci, often referred to as “Uccio,” discussed the circumstances surrounding the accident. He mentioned, “The training at the Ranch had been carefully planned; there wasn’t even the usual race. We have experience in certain things, so the riders were only there to train their breathing and concentration ahead of the races.”
Salucci praised the efforts made to operate on Bezzecchi promptly: “Together with Carlo (sports trainer from VR46) and Dr. Porcelli, we managed to do an excellent job, and Bezzechi underwent surgery on Sunday at 10 in the morning in Modena. The operation went well; they fixed the collarbone with a plate. Fortunately, the fracture healed.”
Now, the question of whether the Italian rider will participate in the Indonesian GP is up in the air. Salucci outlined the process that will be followed: “Today, Marco underwent 10 hours of physiotherapy, he will do the same tomorrow, and he will decide by Wednesday night. It will be his choice.” The team will not pressure Bezzecchi regarding his decision. Salucci added, “I have already spoken with the FIM doctors; they will wait for him in Indonesia to examine him and decide if he can race or not. We’ll see what happens, but it will be his choice, and in any case, the doctors told us it wouldn’t be crazy.”
On the other hand, Luca Marini, despite his surgical procedure, is likely to be present in Mandalika. Salucci commented on Marini’s situation and humorously remarked, “Tomorrow we will leave together, and for Marini, the trip will be calm. We hope he experiences the least amount of pain possible; he’s already doing well. He wasn’t riding a bike, but he was doing strength tests and training in the gym. We have one rider who is three-quarters fit and the other one-quarter: let’s make one out of two.”
Salucci may have joked about the situation, but his disappointment is evident: “We could finish third in the championship with Bezzechi, and we also have to defend our second place in the team standings. These are things that change the season.”