Fabio Di Giannantonio was ruled out of the 2024 Austrian MotoGP following a serious crash during practice.
The incident happened on August 16, 2024, at the Red Bull Ring, where the VR46 Racing Team rider suffered a dislocated left shoulder after a high-speed crash during the second free practice session, with the Italian having completed just eight laps before the incident, ultimately placing 20th.
Di Giannantonio lost control of his bike while navigating between Turns 8 and 9 resulting to a severe crash that left him struggling to get back on his feet, prompting immediate medical attention.
After being assessed by the on-site medical staff, he was transported to Judenberg hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
The 25-year-old, newly confirmed as a factory-supported VR46 Racing rider for the next two seasons was later officially declared unfit to continue the remainder of the Austrian MotoGP weekend and has until the end of the month to recover before the Aragon round.
“Di Giannantonio had a big crash and unfortunately he is not fit for the race because the shoulder went out and he has to get more checks,” VR46 Racing Team boss Pablo Nieto said. “So we think it is more important to make the next race, which should be ok, but he must come home and get some checks in the hospital.”
His team-mate Marco Bezzecchi also fell on Friday afternoon but was unharmed and claimed direct Qualifying 2 access with ninth place.
This marks the second time in 2024 that Di Giannantonio will not score points, following his retirement from the German GP race, where he also failed to finish in the top nine during the Sprint race.
