Bad fall for Niccolò Canepa at the Valencia test with the YART Yamaha: left ankle and foot broken in three points, he must be operated on this evening in Barcelona by Dr Mir.
Bad news for Niccolò Canepa two months before the championship opens with the 24 Heures Moto at Le Mans. Following a nasty crash on the first day of YART Yamaha private testing in Valencia, the strong Genoese rider suffered a triple fracture of his left ankle and foot. He was due to have surgery later today at Dr Xavier Mir's Dexeus University Clinic in Barcelona, so he could return to the saddle as soon as possible.
2021
Between Almeria and Valencia, Niccolò Canepa and his YART Yamaha team have begun their winter testing program in preparation for the 2021 FIM EWC season. The first and only Italian to have been crowned world endurance champion (2016/2017 with the Yamaha GMT94), this year he should experience his fourth consecutive season with the No. 1 YART R7, while simultaneously serving as a test and pilot coach for Yamaha in Superbike.
CHUTE
After a positive test in Almeria, Niccolò Canepa and the YART Yamaha traveled to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia for a new test session, which unfortunately ended prematurely. YART continued its tests with only Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika on the two R1s available.
RACE AGAINST TIME
For Niccolò Canepa, accustomed to feats like a solo victory at the 8 Hours of Sepang in 2019, a race against time begins. Two months to recover from his injury, while a 7-week convalescence is anticipated, should allow him to face the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans on April 17 and 18, a marathon already won during a magical and successful 2017. enhanced by the world title as well as success at the Bol d'Or in September.
« Do not panic, says Mandy Kainz, YART Yamaha team manager. Niccolò should be OK for Le Mans. In any case, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika are ready to race together and Michael Laverty (reserve driver) will also be at the next tests at Le Mans. So we have the alternatives but I am very confident that Niccolò Canepa will return for the race. »
The high level of performance of the Yamaha #7 during these tests in Spain is another indicator of confidence for Mandy Kainz. " NOTWe are also very fast on the track. We have new electronics and the three drivers are very satisfied with this development. The combination is perfect: a strong team, three fast riders and a very good machine. »
Late in the evening, the Italian pilot published: “The surgery went perfectly! Now put your head down and work hard to recover! For those who don't know, I had a huge accident yesterday in Valencia during testing and broke my ankle in 3 places. After the accident, I was transferred to Barcelona for surgery with Dr. Ginevrera. A BIG thank you to everyone who wrote to me and supported me during these days. You give me the strength to fight and come back stronger! I can’t wait to join the Yart family! »
sources:
Alessio Piana for Corsedimoto.com
FIM EWC
YART extension
