UPDATE: Morbidelli ruled out of Sepang and Qatar Tests

Following a crash in Portimao, Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) has been ruled out of 2024 MotoGP™ pre-season. After the Italian's latest medical check, Morbidelli has been recommended, as a precautionary measure, not to take part in any sporting activity for three weeks. 

The news released by Prima Pramac Racing means the #21 will miss both the Sepang Test and the two-day Qatar Test, with Morbidelli expected to be back on his Ducati at the season opener in Qatar from the 8th to the 10th of March.  

Morbidelli was testing alongside his Ducati MotoGP™ counterparts and VR46 Academy stablemates – including Valentino Rossi – at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, where the WorldSBK paddock were participating in an official pre-season test.

Lapping on Ducati's Panigale V4S superbike, the Italian crashed at Turn 9, which subsequently brought out the red flags. Prima Pramac Racing later confirmed via social media that Morbidelli would spend the night in hospital.

Prima Pramac Racing then informed us that Morbidelli would return home to Italy on the 1st of February after CT scans "went well". Now, Morbidelli will rest up before jumping back on his bike in Qatar for Round 1 of the season.