Valentino Rossi
Photo:GEPA pictures / Christian Walgram / imago images / GEPA pictures
Italy's MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi narrowly escaped a major accident in Spielberg. As a result of a fall, Franco Morbidelli's Yamaha flew inches past Rossi, then Johann Zarco's Ducati followed and also just missed him.
"Super scary moment. We are so happy that our two boys are okay," wrote the Yamaha works team shortly after the incident at the Austrian Grand Prix on Twitter. His teammate Maverick Vinales, who was driving directly in front of him, also narrowly escaped the wreckage.
Zarco had driven into Morbidelli on the straight, the machines flew straight through turn one and just past Rossi. In the box, the 41-year-old clapped his hands over his face when he saw the scenes on a screen. Zarco was uninjured, Morbidelli was taken to the hospital for a check-up, but is said not to have suffered any serious injuries. World champion Marc Marquez, who was replaced by Stefan Bradl again because of the consequences of an armbreak, expressed his condolences on Twitter.
After the track was cleaned of scrap, it went on. The run was restarted and shortened to 20 laps. The Italian Andrea Dovizioso scored his third win in four years in Spielberg.
Driver drives into the machine of the fallen
Even before the start in the premier class, it was turbulent. In Moto2, World Championship leader Enea Bastianini lost control of his motorcycle on a knoll on lap four. While most of the following drivers were able to evade, Hafizh Syahrin from Malaysia overlooked the vehicle lying on the track and drove into the fallen machine at full speed. Debris was spread over the entire width of the route.
The former MotoGP rider suffered numerous bruises, but no major breakage, according to initial investigations. The 26-year-old was taken to the medical center by ambulance. The race was able to continue after an interruption, but the race distance was shortened to 13 laps.
Icon: The mirrorEnea Bastianini fell and was thrown off the track. However, his motorcycle stopped on the asphalt and was then hit by Hafizh Syahrin
Photo: LISI NIESNER / REUTERSmjm / dpa / sid