MotoGP: Pedrosa Could Miss Austin GP Following The Argentina GP Crash

The 2018 MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix was completely crazy and there was absolutely no dearth of action through the 24 laps. However, one casualty of the Argentina GP was Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, who injured his wrist following his highside crash on the opening lap. Following his surgery for the wrist injury, Pedrosa might not be able to participate in the next weekend's Austin GP in the US. Honda is yet to announce if they will have another rider step in for Pedrosa or will only contest Marc Marquez for the next round.

(Dani Pedrosa collided with Johann Zarco on the opening lap, injuring his right hand wrist)

Amidst all the confusion with the delayed start, Pedrosa was in the top riders pack on the opening lap when he was launched from his bike at Turn 13 after a collision with Tech 3 Yamaha rider Johann Zarco. The rider was forced out to a wet patch after Zarco moved on the inside line of Pedrosa. While the Spaniard escaped the incident without a crash or penalty, Pedrosa retired immediately, while a statement at the time from Honda later read that the rider had pain in his right wrist and would undergo medical tests.

Pedrosa was then taken to the Hospital Universitario Dexeus - Grupo Quironsalud in Barcelona, where he was told he needed surgery for a distal fracture of the right radius; also affecting the joint. The procedure was carried out successfully, read a statement from the team, and his condition will be evaluated for the next 48 hours.

Disaster for Dani on lap one #ArgentinaGP pic.twitter.com/HDHKd9Le7Q

— MotoGP (@MotoGP) April 9, 2018

Speaking about the procedure, Doctor Xavier Mir, part of the MotoGP medical team said, "The operation was a bit invasive. The idea would be to come back for Jerez instead of Austin. But it's not sure when he will be competing. His wrist is inflamed, and more will be known in the next 72 hours."

Honda, in a statement said that Pedrosa's participation at Austin on April 20-22 is yet to be decided. If Dani is unable to race in Texas, Honda is likely to give the spot to test rider Stefan Bradl. The test rider was previously with Aprilia until the end of 2016, and switched to World Superbike Championship last year which did not end successfully. Bradl has had two outing on the Honda RC213V at Sepang and Jerez respectively.