Ben Spies will not be taking part in this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, the penultimate event of the 2012 MotoGP season. An announcement was made by Yamaha on Monday, following on from the America’s fall in Malaysia.
As a downpour struck Sepang, Spies was one of numerous riders to be caught out by the conditions. Although initial checks in the circuit medical centre suggested no significant injury, further examination in Kuala Lumpur has revealed an AC shoulder separation, a cracked rib in the upper chest and a bruised lung.
On Tuesday, Spies will be taken back to America for surgery.
“I'm lost for words,” he says. “We've had such a tough season with an unbelievable amount of bad luck. We have always gone out there to give it 100 percent and it was the intention of both myself and my team to continue to do so at Phillip Island.
“I took a really hard knock on Sunday and it's now clear from today's tests that I have some injuries that require immediate attention.
“It's disappointing to be heading back to the USA now, instead of to Phillip Island, but it's obviously important to get the right treatment as soon as possible.
“I'm sorry for my team and thankful for all the hard work they and Yamaha have put in so far; our current situation is not where we should be.”
Due to a shortage of time, Spies will not be replaced. This means championship leader Jorge Lorenzo will be the only Yamaha in action at Phillip Island this weekend.
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