MotoGP rider suffers appendicitis - but not ruled out of German GP
Tech3 KTM MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini is at risk of missing the German Grand Prix through appendicitis - but could yet take part.
Bastianini missed the media day at the Sachsenring with what was initially just a fever but was eventually confirmed as appendicitis.
He will remain in his local hospital overnight for observation and treatment, yet Tech3 has not yet ruled out Bastianini taking part in the weekend.
This is because the current treatment - presumably with antibiotics - is intended to avoid surgery.
"More updates on his health will follow on Friday morning," according to the team.
A surgeon consulted by The Race suggested a treatment with antibiotics was increasingly a conventional option when it comes to certain cases of appendicitis, but expressed concern over a rider being treated for appendicitis heading into competition in the days afterwards given the potential for complications.
Bastianini has had a difficult first season with the KTM RC16, struggling to feel comfortable on the bike and pinning his hopes on incoming modifications in terms of ergonomics.
Tech3 would be under no obligation to replace Bastianini at this short notice - though given KTM is conducting no wildcards this year for its test riders Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa, there might be a question over a rare stand-in call-up.
Fellow injured riders Luca Marini and Alex Marquez are at the Sachsenring and have been declared fit to take part - though Marquez will be reviewed by MotoGP medical staff after opening practice.
Marini - coming back from his extensive injuries suffered during testing for the Suzuka 8 Hours - already had a private test with Honda at Brno so knows he can ride, though wasn't able during that test to do runs of more than 15 minutes.
Marquez hasn't yet been on a bike since his Assen race crash a fortnight ago, though appears optimistic about his chances of pulling off a complete Sachsenring weekend.
He said his hand fracture stopped hurting already the day after the incident, but that there is still tendon stiffness that could be a complication.
And, with Marquez being second in the championship, he admitted his position in the standings contributed to his decision to try to ride at the Sachsenring rather than extending his recovery time at home.
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