MOTOGP
FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 9 / OCTOBER 9-11, 2020
LE MANS / LE MANS, FRANCE
P96
MARINI AND MOTOGP
The future of Moto2 champion-
ship leader Luca Marini has been
in question for some weeks now
with reports at Le Mans suggesting
he is closer to securing a move to
MotoGP with Ducati in 2021. "We
will try to finalize Luca with Ducati,
especially if Ducati has an interest
in him, not just to do a year," said
older brother Valentino Rossi. It
appears Marini's move will be at the
expense of Tito Rabat, despite the
Spaniard having a contract with Es-
ponsorama Avinita Ducati for 2021.
CRUTCHLOW'S ARM
The complications with Cal
Crutchlow's right arm remain as
pronounced as ever with the Briton
voicing his concern over his physi-
cal condition coming into the week-
end. Complications to the arm since
undergoing surgery to alleviate arm
pump have dogged Crutchlow since
the beginning of September with
the limb swollen, and still losing
feeling when on the bike. "I spent
10 days at home and there were
10 visits to hospital," he said of his
preparation for the French GP. "MRI
scans, seeing surgeons. Another
week in the life... My arm's not in a
great situation. It's one of reasons
I didn't ride in the Portimao test. I
didn't want to use the arm. I'll go
and see Dr. Mir again and consult
with him as to what's the best option
to do after this weekend. The arm
still has fluid, the arm is very swol-
len, the flexor muscle is very, very
hard for some reason. The skin is
completely stuck to muscle and ten-
dons. We can't get it off. Whatever
you do… Physiotherapy, massage…
It's like super glue."
Briefly...
(Above) For the third race
in a row, Valentino Rossi
crashed out. He didn't
make it past turn two.
(Below) Dovi struggled in the late
stages with a fading rear tire and a
charging Alex Marquez (73), who went
on for his first-ever MotoGP podium.
