Sete Gibernau Out of French GP
Henny Ray Abrams | May 16, 2009
Grupo Francisco Hernando’s Sete Gibernau was diagnosed with a single, displaced fracture to his left collarbone after returning to Barcelona following his crash in this morning’s MotoGP practice session for Sunday’s French Grand Prix at Le Mans.Gibernau came down heavily on his left shoulder after being thrown from his Ducati when it lost rear traction through the middle of the tight chicane that form turns two and three.The Spaniard was immediately ruled out of qualifying and the race, and returned to Spain where he was treated by Dr. Xavier Mir of the Dexeus Institute. Dr. Mir has treated Gibernau for a number of shoulder and collarbone injuries in the past, but said this was a new one.”Sete Gibernau has undergone a series of x-rays which have confirmed a single, new displaced fracture to his left collarbone that is completely independent from his previous injuries in the same area, as well as a light blow to his back and another to his right heel, which are not of major significance,” Dr. Mir said.Gibernau will have a titanium plate affixed to the bone during surgery Monday at the Dexeus Institute.It’s unlikely he’ll be healthy enough to return for the following GP, at Mugello in three weeks time, but he would certainly like to take part in his home grand prix at the Montmelo circuit in Catalunya a week later.Gibernau’s absence leaves the MotoGP grid with only 17 riders.
Henny Ray Abrams | Contributing Editor
Abrams is the longest-serving contributor at Cycle News. Over the course of his 35-some years of writing and shooting photos, he’s covered events from MotoGP to the Motocross World Championship - and everything in between.
