Maverick Vinales, one of the favourites for the 2020 MotoGP World Championship title, has spent a night in hospital after crashing during a motocross training session.
The Spaniard is currently utilising his extended free time as MotoGP awaits the green light to get underway in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to get in some training on the MX track.
However, things didn’t quite go to plan for the Yamaha rider when he came off and hurt himself enough to necessitate a hospital visit. Though he has escaped fractures, he was kept in overnight for observation.
Vinales isn’t the first rider to hurt himself MX riding, with several others – including Valentino Rossi – taking time out because if injuries sustained in incidents.
However, while some perceive it as dangerous, riders insist it is the best form of training for a MotoGP rider when it comes to gaining strength, agility and fitness.
"I always ride motocross, also after 2010, because I like. I enjoy a lot and I think it's the best training, physically and mentally,” Rossi said back in 2017.
Vinales comes into the 2020 season as one of the hot favourites after a strong showing during pre-season testing in terms of single lap pace and race performance. However, the season has been turned on its head by the spread of the coronavirus, which has prompted countries to clamp down on large gatherings and cancel sporting events.
As it stands, the Qatar opener for MotoGP has been cancelled, with the following three events in Thailand, USA and Argentina now postponed. The opening round is now due to begin on 1-3 May in Jerez.
