Alvaro Bautista in Madrid: MotoGP
Rizla Suzuki team’s run at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar was devastated when their solo rider Alvaro Bautista had to retire from a free practice session on Friday. Bautista was rushed to the Clinica Mobile afterward to Hamad Medical Corporation after
an accident which left him with a fracture.
The MotoGP Rizla Suzuki team was left with no choice when they had no other rider available for the Qatar’s Grand Prix. John Hopkins had travelled back to America and could not return in time for the race.
Hopkins has rode in the MotoGP for seven seasons, which included a 2002 season for Yamaha, the 2003-2007 seasons with Suzuki and the 2008 campaign with Kawasaki. Suzuki team had earlier replaced Bautista with Hopkins for the Jerez Grand Prix. Though Hopkins
has four podium finishes and ranked fourth in the 2007 World Championship, he hasn’t managed to claim a race title yet.
Rizla Suzuki team did have a choice to pick Nobuatsu Aoki, but the rider was in Japan after his country is facing one of the worst disasters in its history after the deadly earthquake and tsunami. Despite approaching Moto2 riders having MotoGP experience,
the Suzuki team was unsuccessful as riders were already committed to their respective teams for the season opening races.
On the first race of the season, the Commercial Grand Prix of Qatar, Bautista had to face some complications in his left leg drainage after the insertion for a pin to fix his femur. The medical staff had to make an incision to release the pressure in the
left thigh.
Presently, Alvaro Bautista is being treated in Hospital USP San Jose de Madrid, after his return from Doha. In Madrid, he will be treated by Dr Angel Villamor till his full recovery from pinned femur bone. The Hospital will prescribe a medical procedure
depending upon the swelling and condition of his wound, for a speedy recovery.
Paul Denning, the Rizla Suzuki team boss has high hopes and believes that Bautista will recover soon as he has the passion to fight on and off track situations. Denning added that Bautista not only rides the bike well, but also has the passion to compete
against his MotoGP fellows.
The reason for the accident was quite simple; having improper temperature on the tires. The incident was quite similar to Rossi’s accident last season. With the season in its’ first stage, Bautista’s recovery will be of prime importance to the success of
the Rizla Suzuki team.