While Marc Marquez celebrated his 100th career victory at Balaton Park and all eyes were on the spectacular crash caused by Jorge Martin, another battle was being waged behind the scenes. A much more discreet battle. And a particularly painful one for Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Fabio DiGiannantonio He underwent surgery in Rome on Monday afternoon to treat the injury he has been carrying since his accident in Barcelona. The driver of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team was admitted to the UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital where Dr. Ornelli performed a surgical dressing on the dermis of the fifth finger of his left hand.
A minor intervention on paper. But one that reveals just how much the Italian driver had been struggling for several days. In a statement, the team confirmed that his return to the track was already scheduled.
« Fabio Di Giannantonio was admitted to the UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital in Rome for surgical repair of the dermis of the fifth finger of his left hand. The procedure was performed by Dr. Ornelli to treat the injury sustained in the crash during the Barcelona race. »
Before specifying: “ The recovery plan stipulates that the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rider will participate as planned in the Czech Republic Grand Prix next week."Because behind this seemingly minor injury lay a much more complicated reality. To the point of altering his behavior when he fell."
Fabio Di Giannantonio defines new on-track risk management
On Saturday in Hungary, after his crash in qualifying, Di Giannantonio he explained that he now refused to take certain risks to protect his hand. My Ducati didn't stop; it was still running. I was lucky. " he recounted, referring to his motorcycle after his fall.
Then came this sentence which perfectly sums up his current situation: Honestly, with my injured finger right now, I wouldn't risk keeping my hands on the motorcycle in case of a fall »
Before driving the point home: I don't care. If I crash, I'll get on the bike and try to get back into the race. But I think my finger is much more important"A statement that speaks volumes."
In a paddock where riders are used to picking up their machines as quickly as possible, sometimes at the expense of their own safety, hearing a MotoGP rider explain that he prefers to abandon his motorcycle rather than risk aggravating his injury is anything but trivial.
And yet, despite this handicap, Di Giannantonio continues to string together solid performances. In Hungary Again, his weekend had started perfectly before the pile-up caused by George Martin At the first turn, do not reduce his ambitions to nothing.
Propelled to the ground in the accident also involving Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez et Fermin Aldeguer, the Italian nevertheless got back in the saddle to save some precious points in the championship.
A determination that did not escape Luigi Dall'Igna. The boss of Ducati Corse even made a point of publicly praising his performance: It is also worth highlighting Diggia's superb comeback, who, after being involved in the initial crash of the peloton, managed to climb to 12th place with a pace worthy of the podium"Before adding: " A character and determination that I greatly appreciated. »
The operation carried out in Rome should now allow By Giannantonio to approach Brno in better conditions. The medical protocol includes several days of physiotherapy to reduce inflammation, preserve joint mobility and restore full functionality of his left hand, essential for clutch control and piloting precision.
A detail that could have significant consequences in the second half of the season. Because behind the immense light projected by Marc Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio quietly continues to build the strongest campaign of his career.
And if his finger finally stops reminding him of every turn in Barcelona, the driver VR46 could well become one of the most dangerous men on the plateau again MotoGP.
