Phillip Island, Australia – 17 October 2016: Tito Rabat will tomorrow head home to Spain, where he will undergo further examination and possible surgery on the left arm injured two weeks ago in a training crash at Almeria.

The former Moto2 World Champion crashed heavily in the fast final turn at Phillip Island yesterday, during the second free practice session ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. Precautionary x-rays showed no additional damage to the left arm injury, but the possibility of a displaced bone fragment was identified during a further examination today.

Rabat will return to Barcelona for a more detailed assessment of the injury and will miss the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, staying in Europe to recuperate fully ahead of the final race of the season in Valencia instead.

Tito Rabat:
“The crash yesterday left me with no other option; I need to return home for further treatment as soon as possible, so that I have the maximum amount of time to recover ahead of the final race of the season in Valencia. I would like to say thank you to the medical staff at the circuit here at Phillip Island and also to the MotoGP medical team for the good job that they’ve done, both with my rehabilitation from the original injury and for quickly identifying the possibility of further damage after my crash yesterday. Now my focus is solely on recovery, ready for the race in Valencia and the new adventure in MotoGP that starts the Tuesday after.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“The original injury wasn’t the problem for Tito here in Australia or in Japan, but rather it was a lack of strength in his left arm following the surgery. With the physiotherapy that Tito has been doing since the operation the strength was starting to return, so it made sense for him to come to the overseas races and test the injury on the bike. The crash yesterday has changed that, as there is a possibility that it dislodged a bone fragment in his damaged arm that may require further treatment. It’s disappointing for Tito, but the positive thing is that he will be sufficiently recovered to race in Valencia and then test the MotoGP bike on the Tuesday after the final race of the season.”