Trackhouse Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez crashed during Sepang MotoGP Test 2025 and sustained fractures that will require surgery.
The incident happened early on the first day of testing forcing the Spanish rider to withdraw from the remainder of the Sepang test and cast doubt on his participation in upcoming tests.
Raul Fernandez crashed at Turn 9 of the Sepang International Circuit with reports indicating that he lost control of his Aprilia RS-GP while braking.
The severity of the crash necessitated a visit to the medical center for examination and initial assessments revealed a fractured metacarpal bone in his left hand and a broken pinkie toe on his left foot.
While the toe fracture is considered less of an issue, the hand fracture is of particular concern, as it will require surgery and could significantly impact his ability to ride in the short term.
Following the initial examination at the circuit’s medical center, Fernandez was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur for further evaluation. He has since decided to return to Spain to consult with Dr. Xavier Mir, a recognized trauma specialist, for further tests and treatment.
While the combination of injuries have sidelined Fernandez and disrupted his pre-season preparations, the plan is to undergo surgery in Barcelona as soon as possible to reduce recovery time.
Trackhouse Aprilia team boss Davide Brivio described Raul Fernandez crash as “a little bit strange,” noting that the 24-year old was “calm” and “taking his time” before the incident.
“Actually, it’s a little bit strange because he was calm, he was taking his time,” Brivio told MotoGP’s After the Flag. “But unfortunately he had a crash, entering into Turn 9 on braking.
“Now he has suffered a fracture of his left hand. We’re sending him back to Barcelona and he will try to get the surgery as soon as possible.
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“In his head he would like to be back for Thailand – you know riders. But let’s see, we’ll listen to what the doctors say, how the surgery goes.
“We will make all of the exams and we will know more in the coming days what’s going on.”
This marks the second consecutive year that Fernandez has been forced to withdraw from the Sepang test due to injury. Last year, he suffered fractures to his pelvis and hip on the opening day, preventing him from participating in the remainder of the test.
These recurring injury setbacks have plagued his MotoGP career, hindering his progress and limiting his ability to consistently compete at his full potential.
The crash is a significant blow to Fernandez’s pre-season preparations as he will miss valuable track time to adapt to his RS-GP and work with Trackhouse Aprilia. With only a limited number of pre-season tests available, every session on the bike is crucial for riders to fine-tune their setups and build confidence.
Fernandez’s absence will undoubtedly put him at a disadvantage compared to his rivals, who will have the opportunity to accumulate more data and experience on their machines.
Raul Fernandez crash compounds what was already a difficult day for Aprilia at the Sepang MotoGP Test 2025. Earlier in the day, reigning world champion Jorge Martin suffered two crashes the second of which resulted in a trip to the hospital for further examinations.
Martin’s condition is still being evaluated but the incidents have raised concerns about the competitiveness of the Aprilia RS-GP and the capability of its riders to push the bike to its limits without risking injury.
Marco Bezzecchi who also tested the Aprilia RS-GP noted that the bike had rear stability issues, with “a lot of movement from the back.” He suggested that this could be due to a combination of factors, including tires and motorcycle electronics.
“This bike is turning more from what I was used to last year,” Bezzecchi said, comparing it to the GP23 Ducati. “Of course, the rear of the bike is still to adjust.
“It’s a problem that we already had in Montmelo. Many movements, especially. I think it’s a mix between tyres but also the electronic side of the bike.
“Overall, I think that I need more experience on the bike to understand if it’s a tyre problem or a bike problem. At the moment for me it’s a mix.”
With Fernandez sidelined, Trackhouse Aprilia will rely on Ai Ogura to continue gathering data and providing feedback during the Sepang test.
Ogura, who also participated in the Shakedown test, has the opportunity to gain valuable experience on the RS-GP and contribute to the team’s development efforts. Aprilia may also call upon its test rider Lorenzo Savadori to assist with testing and provide additional input.
