MotoGP considering improving safety for riders – MotoGP news
In the struggle to improve the rider safety standards in MotoGP, Dorna is evaluating set of advanced protection technologies.
The special commission is looking to come up with rules that require certain level of protection for the riders and one of the main points focused in the agenda is to use airbag suits. Alpinestars and Dainese are the suppliers to provide majority in
the premier class. By the use of the inflatable leathers, the chances will be reduced to have a neck, shoulder and collarbone injury. These are few very common injuries faced by the riders during a severe fall.
The mandatory safety agenda also includes the use of lever guards to reduce the crash numbers, caused by front brake jam. The most memorable incident is a pile-up while cornering the first turn at Catalunya track in 2006. The wreck was triggered when
Sete Gibernau jammed the front brake lever of Loris Capirossi, shooting the Italian airborne and crossing the bars, followed by number of riders who crashed in a chain effect.
In this season, almost all the top star riders are not in perfect health conditions. Most of the unfit riders are going under a surgery to get relief from the after effects of the accidents.
Many other riders in MotoGP are experiencing health issues which have hindered the performance expected by their fans and teams. Valentino Rossi is still suffering from a shoulder problem he got from last season and Alvaro Bautista of Rizla Suzuki
got his left femur fractured during a run before Commercial Grand Prix of Qatar. Suzuki was forced to miss the first round of the season.
Cal Crutchlow of Monster Yamaha Tech3 also got his left little finger shredded after falling at a FP session at Losail circuit, when got his left hand stuck under the handle bar. Dani Pedrosa has undergone a surgery to release pressure on his subclavian
artery by removing his titanium plates and screws.
Especially the long gap between the Spanish and Portuguese round had been availed by many riders to get their required surgeries done and get back into racing conditions before the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal on May 1, 2011.
The gap was available after the Japanese Grand Prix was moved from April 24 to October 2 after the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. The Motegi Twin Ring Circuit was also damaged in the disaster and needed reconstruction in a few areas.
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