Aldeguer defends Bagnaia collision in Qatar sprint

Fermin Aldeguer has defended himself after his collision with Francesco Bagnaia, which left the factory Ducati rider injured in the Qatar Grand Prix sprint. Aldeguer, of the Gresini team, was battling KTM's Pedro Acosta for sixth when he moved to pass into the final turn. He said he could not slow the bike as much as he would have liked, and ran into Bagnaia, who was ahead of them in fifth. The race was red-flagged, and stewards gave Aldeguer a double long-lap penalty to be served during the shortened restart.

Aldeguer did not deny responsibility for the contact, but said the move was not as reckless as it looked. He said Bagnaia was taking the corner on a wider line, preparing for the exit, and that he tried to avoid the front wheel before making contact. He added that he had apologised to Bagnaia and to Ducati.

Bagnaia was taken for assessment and scans revealed fractures to two bones in his right foot. He was declared unfit for Sunday's grand prix, and his participation in the final two rounds in Portugal and Valencia remains uncertain while a decision on surgery is awaited.