German MotoGP: Maverick Vinales update after qualifying highside
Maverick Vinales escapes serious injury in a big qualifying highside at the Sachsenring on Saturday morning.
Maverick Vinales finished Friday practice at the German MotoGP on top of the timesheets.
But his pole position hopes came to a brutal conclusion when he was fired over the handlebars of his factory Aprilia at 150km/h through Turn 10, on his final run.
Vinales crawled slowly away and was seen sitting on his knees before being helped away by marshals, while his damaged RS-GP spewed smoke at the side of the track.
“Following the crash suffered during Q2, Maverick Viñales underwent a medical examination and tests at the circuit's medical centre,” Aprilia confirmed.
“The radiological and ultrasound tests carried out revealed no fractures or injuries to the ligaments and joints. It’s a blunt trauma.”
A further update added: "Maverick has been declared fit."
The COTA winner will therefore start from seventh on the grid but there will still be two RS-GPs on the front row in the form of Trackhouse riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, beaten only by Jorge Martin in qualifying.
Vinales’ team-mate Aleix Espargaro withdrew from the Sachsenring event on Friday due to pain from the hand fracture sustained at Assen a week ago.