GasGas Factory Racing Tech3’s Pol Espargaro is ‘conscious, alert and responding well’ after a huge crash in the second MotoGP practice session at Portimao, with the Spaniard suffering a pulmonary contusion, jaw fracture and a fractured dorsal vertebra in the fall.

Making the switch back to the RC 16 with the rebranded GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 team this year, Espargaro commenced the 2023 season by posting the 20th fastest time in practice one.

A sizeable high-side at turn 10 during the second session saw the number 44 receive immediate trackside medical assistance as the session was stopped, then taken to hospital for further evaluation.

“He is conscious, alert, and responding well. He is slightly sedated due to the painkillers we have administered,” Dr Charte explained. “He can move his feet, legs, and arms perfectly well, so there is no reason to fear any permanent spinal injury.”

It’s a challenging blow for Espargaro who was motivated in his switch to GasGas following his previous sting with the Repsol Honda Team. Teammate and only rookie in the 2023 field Augusto Fernandez completed the opening day in Portugal 16th in practice two.