Motegi Moto2 J.3 Japanese Grand Prix: Bo Bendsneyder's incredible injury!

In the realm of extra–ordinary things that happened in the final moments of the races at Motegi, if Marc Márquez's shoulder dislocation by Scott Redding appeared on the screen, it was not the same for the unfortunate Bo Bendsneyder at the end of the Moto2 event.

On the last lap of the race, the Tech3 Racing driver's engine literally exploded and what appeared to be the alternator broke its casing and hit the left shin of the Dutch driver, fracturing the latter on the spot with a pain as instantaneous as it is devastating.

After initially being transported to the circuit's medical center, the Team Tech 3 Racing driver was transferred to Utsonomiya Hospital in Tokyo for a thorough medical examination which confirmed a compound fracture of the tibia requiring surgery.

Hervé Poncharal : “First of all, I would like to say that I am deeply saddened and concerned about what happened to Bo. On the very last lap of the race, his engine broke and part of the engine flew off and hit his left leg. The result is apparently what the medical report told us before he was taken to the local hospital, a compound fracture of his left tibia, which is a real shame. He couldn't do anything, he didn't even fall, but he parked the bike and was in a lot of pain, until he discovered that his left tibia was broken. Unbelievable, an unfortunate accident and I just hope we have Bo back before the end of the year. There's nothing we can say about it except that it's perhaps the most unlucky thing that can happen to a pilot, so we hope it gets cured quickly and he will be able to return home, recover and rest as soon as possible. We wish him a quick recovery ! It's a bad time for this to happen, because it's the first of three races in a row. It's always a bad feeling, because we have to pack everything and fly to Australia, while one of us stays here. This is not the way we like to handle the situation and we care about our driver, so I really hope there are better days in the near future for Bo.”

However (we seem to be dreaming), Will Bendsneyder is currently at Utsonomiya Hospital in Tokyo where he will be operated on... as soon as the situation allows, Japanese legislation considering him a minor (he is 19 years old)!

His father, Steven Bendsneyder, who is going to Japan today to assist his son, explains on Racesport.nl:  “Bo will have surgery in Japan, but that won't happen until his manager arrives. It has to do with Bo still being a minor. The operation in Japan was chosen because the risks of flight are too great, due to thromboses and infections, etc. Dorna's doctors said it was wise to stay in Tokyo for at least four days and wait at least that long before agreeing to travel back to the Netherlands. Back in the Netherlands, Bo will be able to recover and rehabilitate at home.”

Update: according to the latest news, the Tech3 driver could, however, escape the surgical operation and be satisfied with some sort of external splint.

We obviously wish the best possible recovery to the unfortunate Dutch pilot.

https://twitter.com/Tech3_Moto2Team/status/1053942002394398720

Cover photo credit: © Steven Bendsneyder Sr