Fausto Gresini 'still serious, overlapping infection'

Dr Nicola Cilloni, overseeing the treatment of MotoGP team boss Fausto Gresini, says that the 59-year-old 's condition is 'still serious' with his lungs 'hit hard by the disease [Covid] and an overlapping infection'.

Gresini - described by his son as previously fit and healthy, with no serious underlying medicial conditions - was hospitalised in Imola on December 27 before being moved to the intensive care unit of a Bologna hospital on December 30, where he continues to battle low blood-oxygen levels caused by Covid-related respiratory problems.

The former double 125cc world champion's condition had been steadily improving since being awoken from a pharmaceutical coma until he suffered a high fever last weekend. 

Fausto's son Lorenzo reports that treatment of the fever has been successful and that he is 'stable', although Gresini - who had been 'fully conscious', allowing him to take part to his daughter's birthday via a video call and receive a visit from his wife - is now heavily sedated.

Dr Cilloni provided the following medical update: “Fausto's general conditions are unfortunately still serious. The lungs hit hard by the disease and by an overlapping infection are able to give oxygen to the blood only [when] aided by the mechanical ventilation machine.

"It is still necessary to keep Fausto asleep almost always to allow the mechanical fan to work properly. When he is periodically awakened, he is conscious and combative”.

The Gresini team is using the hashtag #GETWELLSOONFAUSTO for those wishing to pass on messages of support to the Italian.