Sports · Motorsport · 2 days ago
Fernandez fractures finger in Mandalika sprint crash with Bezzecchi
Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi crashed at the first corner of the MotoGP sprint in Mandalika, Indonesia.
Fernandez, who started from pole, fractured his left index finger and is uncertain for Sunday’s grand prix.
The crash came as four riders entered the corner close together, and their racing lines converged.
Fernandez said Bezzecchi squeezed him and left room for two Ducati riders, calling the move unfair.
Bezzecchi said he was trying to avoid trouble and that Fernandez touched him, describing the crash as a racing incident.
Both riders were out of the sprint, and the incident ended their chances of a result there.
Fernandez plans to try to take part in the warm-up, while Bezzecchi said he would focus on Sunday’s race.
Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi crashed at Turn 1 of the Mandalika MotoGP sprint after four riders entered the corner close together.
Fernandez blamed Bezzecchi for squeezing him and leaving space for two Ducati riders, saying Bezzecchi's actions helped cause the crash.
Fernandez fractured his left index finger and was in doubt for the grand prix, though he planned to try to take part in the warm-up.
Bezzecchi called the collision a racing incident and said Fernandez had touched him.
Both riders lost their chances in the sprint, which Fernandez had started from pole and Bezzecchi from second on the grid.
- Who
- MotoGP riders Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi, with Marc Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio also involved in the Turn 1 sequence.
- What
- A first-corner crash in the Mandalika sprint left Fernandez injured and prompted a public disagreement over responsibility.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Turn 1 at the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia.
- Why
- The riders gave different accounts of the collision: Fernandez said Bezzecchi squeezed him, while Bezzecchi described it as a racing incident and said Fernandez touched him.
Raul Fernandez
Marco Bezzecchi
Cause of the crash
Raul Fernandez
Fernandez said Bezzecchi moved close to him and took him towards the edge of the track, leaving the door open for two Ducatis and contributing to the crash.
Marco Bezzecchi
Bezzecchi said he was trying to position himself for braking and avoid forcing the issue as Marc Marquez approached.
Responsibility
Raul Fernandez
Fernandez said the contact followed what he considered an unfair move and said Bezzecchi had not shown respect.
Marco Bezzecchi
Bezzecchi called it a racing incident, said Fernandez had touched him, and argued neither rider could simply disappear.
Response after the collision
Raul Fernandez
Fernandez was angry and said Bezzecchi's actions were not nice or gentlemanly.
Marco Bezzecchi
Bezzecchi said he was sorry Fernandez was angry but saw no reason for him to be upset, and said he wanted to focus on the next day's race.
Fernandez, Bezzecchi, Marc Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio entered Turn 1 close together, and Bezzecchi and Fernandez crashed.
Fernandez criticised Bezzecchi's riding, while Bezzecchi said the collision was a racing incident.
Fernandez was in doubt for the race because of a fractured finger and planned to try to take part in the warm-up.
- Circuit
- Mandalika, Indonesia
- Crash location
- Turn 1
- Fernandez's grid position
- Pole position
- Bezzecchi's grid position
- Second
- Fernandez's injury
- Fractured left index finger
- Other riders in the Turn 1 sequence
- Marc Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio
What people are saying
For me, the crash is a consequence of the start.
I am not playing for the championship. He was playing for the championship. For me he was not very smart.
If Raul is angry, I'm sorry, but honestly, he touched me!
Me versus him or him versus me, at the end there's a racing incident. I couldn't disappear and he also couldn't disappear.
Sources
Injured Fernandez livid with Bezzecchi over start crash
Bezzecchi brushes off Fernandez's anger after Indonesian GP sprint crash
Marco Bezzecchi on Mandalika sprint crash: 'Raul Fernandez has nothing to be angry about'
Fernandez slams "unprofessional" Bezzecchi after crash in Indonesian GP sprint
Raul Fernandez slams "unprofessional" Marco Bezzecchi after dramatic Indonesia crash
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