Fabio Di Giannantonio‘s wheelie attempt resulted to a crash and a fractured left collarbone that ruled him out of Sepang MotoGP Test 2025.
The VR46 Racing Ducati rider will miss the remainder of the Sepang test and faces uncertainty for the upcoming test in Thailand, casting a shadow over his preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season opener.
The incident happened at Turn 5 during a practice start session at the close of the first day of testing and eyewitness accounts suggest it was a self-inflicted crash as a result of Di Giannantonio’s wheelie attempt in what should have been a celebratory moment.
VR46 has confirmed that Di Giannantonio suffered a fracture to his collarbone and will return to Italy for surgery.
“Fabio Di Giannantonio has been diagnosed with a left collarbone fracture following his Turn 5 crash at Sepang Test,” a brief statement read. “The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider will fly back tonight to Italy to undergo surgery.”
VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto acknowledged the incident stating that while such incidents should not occur he understood Di Giannantonio’s wheelie attempt after a successful day of testing with the new Ducati GP25.
“The truth was that he was very happy,” he said. “Because he was without a bike for three months, he did a fantastic job yesterday.
“In the first part of the day, it was very hard because with a new bike [Ducati GP25] you have to try a lot of things, a lot of new parts, a lot of parts from Ducati… and then he made a very good laptime.
“He was very happy, and when riders are happy they try to make a wheelie… and he made it in the wrong moment, between [Turns] 4 and 5, a little bit with angle, and the bike… you know… these things have to not happen, but I can understand because also I was a rider.”
Di Giannantonio had completed 49 laps and achieved the seventh-fastest time before the crash. Missing the Sepang MotoGP Test 2025 means he will miss critical opportunities to adjust to and provide feedback on the new motorcycle.
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The setback is particularly cruel for the Italian rider who had only recently returned to full fitness after undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated left shoulder sustained at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.
The surgery had forced the 26-year old to curtail his 2024 campaign – missing the final two races – to ensure he would be in optimal condition for the start of the 2025 MotoGP season.
Di Giannantonio had participated in a private test with a Panigale V4 at Mandalika Circuit to regain his form before the Sepang MotoGP Test 2025. He is one of only three riders entrusted with the latest-spec Ducati Desmosedici GP25 this season.
“It’s true that it was very hard for us because we are coming from injuries three months ago, we didn’t make the last three races [of 2024] to try to be 100% in the first race,” Nieto said. “And… now we are in this moment.
“But anyway I think we have to look forward, to try to… see the good things that we saw yesterday and try to be positive.”
Diggia’s absence adds to a growing list of injured riders during the Sepang MotoGP test 2025, including reigning world champion Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez.
Martin will return to Spain for surgery on multiple fractures after a high-side crash on his Aprilia, while Fernandez will also sit out the rest of the test to undergo surgery for a left-hand fracture.
Di Giannantonio’s teammate at VR46 Franco Morbidelli secured fifth place during the testing session, indicating positive developments for the team.
