Marc Marquez crash during the second free practice at Mugello reminded many of Shinya Nakano’s 2004 crash, but the two crashes were only similar due to the high speed.
Nakano’s Kawasaki blew its rear tire and sent the Japanese rider into a highside and then tumbling into the concrete barrier, while Marquez lost the front of his Honda before going into turn 1 at 320kmh as he jumped off with the bike sliding against the concrete wall before actually crashing in the gravel trap at 280km.
“Just after the hill on the straight, I grabbed for the brakes but I (lost) the front.
I tried to save it but the bike was pulling me towards the wall, so I jumped from the bike to avoid hitting it.
I hit my chin hard and strained my neck quite badly; I also have some contusions to my right shoulder, arm and leg, but other than that I’m okay.
Thanks to all the medical team that were quickly on the scene to assist me.
Now I need to rest and see how I feel later tonight and in the morning,” said Marquez,Luckily Marquez’ injuries were not as serious as they could have been, and there have been repeated calls in the past by the Riders Safety Commission to have that wall moved further back, but apparently for some reason it can’t be done.
Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa both talked about the dangers of that point of the circuit: “That point is dangerous especially as it is not a flat straight, it has a small jump.
I understand where Marc lose the control and the wall is very, very close, too close.
We try with the Safety Commission in the past to push the wall but Mugello say it is not possible,” said Rossi.
“We already spoke a few years ago about the wall in the safety Commission but they say they cannot change it or something like that.
I saw the marks on the asphalt where he braked but I don’t know why he crashed, commented Pedrosa.
Check out the video after the jump of Marquez’ crash taken from a security camera: