MotoGP: Yonny Hernandez Injures Shoulder in Training

Yonny Hernandez is to miss the first Sepang test. The Colombian rider crashed while riding dirt track, falling heavily on his left shoulder, and dislocating the shoulder. As a result, Hernandez will not be able to ride at Sepang, and will be replaced by Ducati’s test rider, Michele Pirro.

The good news for the Pramac Ducati rider is that the damage was mainly microfractures, and the ligaments and tendons were undamaged. The shoulder is a very complex joint, held together by a complicated network of tendons, cartilege and ligaments which allow it to move freely, but is vulnerable to damage.

Damaging the connecting tissue in a shoulder can severely hamper riding ability and even end careers, as it did for Ben Spies. Hernandez’ injury is nowhere near as severe, and should allow him to take part in the second test at Sepang.

The press release from Pramac Racing appears below:

Yonny Hernandez to miss Sepang 1 test due to shoulder injury

Pramac Racing announces that Yonny Hernandez can’t participate for the Sepang test scheduled in February 4th to 7th.

During a Dirt Track training session, the Colombian rider was involved in a crash and suffered of left shoulder dislocation. The exams showed microfractures without any lesion to ligaments and tendons. Recovery times are estimated in three weeks. Yonny Hernandez will be available for the second test session at Sepang scheduled in February 23rd to 26th. Pramac Racing also announces that Michele Pirro, official Ducati test-rider, will replace Yonny Hernandez in the first test session test in Malaysia.

This article was originally published on MotoMatters, and is republished here on Asphalt & Rubber with permission by the author.