MotoGP Star’s Season in Doubt After Suzuka 8 Hour Practice Crash
Luca Marini has suffered multiple severe injuries while testing his Honda CBR1000RR-R in preparation for the Suzuka 8 Hour endurance race
Fresh off the back of the British Grand Prix, Luca Marini swapped MotoGP machinery for a stint on the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, testing for HRC at Japan’s legendary Suzuka Circuit — but things quickly took a turn for the worse.
The Repsol Honda rider was putting in laps as part of Honda’s build-up to the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, and after a solid first day getting to grips with the Fireblade, day two ended with a heavy crash that’s left the Italian in hospital.
Initial reports confirm Marini has sustained a dislocated left hip, ligament damage to his left knee, fractures to his sternum and collarbone, and a pneumothorax on the right side, a serious list of injuries that will have obvious implications for the rest of his season.
The 27-year-old was immediately transferred to a local hospital, where he was stabilised and remains under close observation. He’ll stay in Japan until doctors clear him to travel.
The crash puts a question mark over any involvement in the upcoming 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours, set to kick off on 1st August with practice and qualifying ahead of Saturday’s traditional Top Ten Trial, and the main event on Sunday. The setback also casts doubt on Marini's involvement in the remainder of the MotoGP season, the next round of which is Aragon, kicking off next weekend.
For Honda, it’s a blow to their Suzuka campaign, and for Marini, it’s another frustrating chapter in his second year with Repsol.
We'll update as more details come in — but for now, we’re wishing Luca a swift and smooth recovery.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
