Francesco Bagnaia MotoGP injury Qatar Grand Prix, Digi Mart USA News: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) suffered a double foot fracture after a heavy crash during Saturday’s sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix, and he is returning to Italy. The length of his absence has not yet been determined.
The 2026 season has been a difficult one for Bagnaia, who is now ninth in the world championship standings and sidelined for an indefinite period. The 29-year-old Italian was struck by Fermin Aldeguer (Ducati Gresini) early in the first lap, was thrown into the air and landed heavily on his back, but his foot took the worst of the impact.
Bagnaia was evacuated on a stretcher after a red flag was displayed. Initial medical examinations at the Lusail International Circuit medical center revealed two fractures in his right foot, affecting the fourth and fifth metatarsals.
He was to be transferred to a hospital in Doha for further tests to determine whether surgery is required.
On Sunday, his Ducati Lenovo team announced that Bagnaia would be repatriated to Italy and operated on in the coming days. He was due to start the Qatar Grand Prix from fifth position but will not race.
The team has not disclosed how long he will be out.
It remains unclear whether Bagnaia will return before the season finale in Valencia, scheduled in three weeks. The Portuguese Grand Prix will take place on November 22 before then.
Bagnaia has signed with Aprilia for the next four seasons, and his eight-year Ducati tenure, which included world titles in 2022 and 2023, may have ended with this crash.
