Xavi Vierge to undergo surgery on right hand after big Misano crash

In what was turning out to be Vierge’s best weekend since joining WorldSBK, the Team HRC rider suffered a big crash in race two after being clipped by Bassani. 

A clear racing incident, the Ducati rider unfortunately made contact with Vierge’s front wheel on the approach to the Misano circuit’s quickest corner, Curvone [turn 11]. 

With Vierge left with nowhere to go, the former Moto2 rider was sent into the gravel before electing to abandon his fast-moving Honda CBR1000RR-R. 

Following an initial medical check at the track, a further examination was carried out on Monday morning, with six fractures being confirmed, two of which will need surgery. 

A statement from Honda said: "After injuring his right hand in a racing incident that occurred during the second WorldSBK race at the Misano World Circuit on June 12, Xavi Vierge has undergone further medical tests this morning as planned.

"The examinations, carried out by Dr. Xavi Mir at the Hospital Universitario Quirón Dexeus in Barcelona, Spain, have confirmed six fractures to the rider’s right hand, two of which require surgery.

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"The two bones in question are the third metacarpal bone and the hamate bone, which will be operated on by Dr. Mir and his team on Thursday. The surgery will not be done any earlier because it is important to wait three days to be sure that Xavi is suffering no consequences from the blow to the head that he suffered in the fall."

Vierge, who has already had to deal with a rib fracture during the pre-season, called the incident a ‘real pity’ as he was on course to challenge for a third top five result.

"The crash was a real pity because we’ve had an incredible weekend and were running a really good second race," said the Spanish rider directly after race two. "I think the other rider (Axel Bassani) overtook me, touching my front wheel, so I found myself in direct line with the wall and had to jump off the bike. 

"I was lucky because I touched the ground at very high speed. After an initial check, it looks like I might have broken something in my right hand."

Iker Lecuona surprised by Honda’s speed at Misano WorldSBK

While it was an unfortunate end to what was a really strong weekend for Vierge, Honda were still able to collect big points after Lecuona delivered another fine performance.

After claiming P5 in the Superpole race, Lecuona was able to hold off the likes of Andrea Locatelli, Bassani and Alex Lowes. 

Lecuona said: "Overall I’m really happy with our weekend here. I think both me and Xavi did not expect this kind of speed, but we’ve both been very fast, worked together and finished very close to the front in all three races. 

"In race 1, I maybe struggled a bit more but then in the Superpole race I battled hard with Rinaldi and Locatelli. 

"I lost some time as a result, but my pace was strong, and I knew I could fight for the top five again in race 2. 

"Starting from the second row helped a lot, and even though I struggled with the rear tyre in the early stages, lap by lap I felt more comfortable and in the second part of the race I could ride really fast. I

"m very happy for now; we’re just nine points from fourth in the championship and to have finished in the top ten in every race tells us that we’re on the right track."