Moto3: Garcia withdraws from Misano, Acosta vs Foggia title fight

The Moto3 title battle has been reduced to a Pedro Acosta vs Dennis Foggia contest after Sergio Garcia, the only other rider still in mathematical contention, was forced to withdraw from this weekend's Misano round.

Garcia had been tied on points with Foggia for second in the standings heading to COTA, but was ruled out after a nasty practice accident (pictured) caused a hematoma in his kidney.

That has left Garcia 50 points behind Acosta, with 75 remaining.

However, a further scan in the run-up to this weekend's Misano return revealed that the hematoma has not yet fully healed and Garcia will miss his second event in a row.

“I feel physically well, but I have undergone a check-up at the IMED Hospital in Valencia, where I have had a CT scan to see how the kidney injury is, and we have seen that it is still not at one hundred percent," Garcia said.

"The hematoma on the kidney has not disappeared and the doctors have recommended that I not travel to Misano, they have told me that I could be fit for Portugal, which is something that motivates me, but I am sad to miss this grand prix, since I am in P3 and missing one more race is going to hurt my options. I am motivated and more eager than ever to get on the GASGAS.”

Aspar's CEV Junior World Championship rider David Alonso will replace Garcia this weekend. Although still only 15 he is eligible to make a grand prix debut as the reigning Red Bull Rookies Cup winner.

Meanwhile, Acosta's focus will be on protecting the 30-point lead over Foggia.

It may sound like a lot, but the Leopard rider has already outscored Acosta by 67 points in the last five rounds – taking five rostrums, including two wins, while Acosta has been absent from the podium.

“At the last GP we worked very well, and we were strong. However, a series of misfortunes combined for us in the race," said Acosta, dramatically taken out by the Deniz Oncu-Jeremy Alcoba incident.

"Leaving aside what happened, we have to keep going in the same way, be calm, and not think about the title. I am looking forward to this weekend, as at Austin I felt very good on the bike and that makes me think that we can do a great job here.

"The key to achieving a positive result at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will be to always remain calm, both in practice and in the contest. I like Misano, so maybe that favours us in a way."