Champ’s ‘mistake’ leads to Grand Prix shambles

After starting in pole position, Marquez clipped Jorge Martin before his out-of-control bike barraged into the back of local Oliveira.

The six-time world champion had two screws inserted into his right hand after breaking a finger in the incident.

While Oliveira was not seriously injured, the severity of the cuts and bruises on his right leg has ruled him until after the United States Grand Prix in three weeks time.

Martin will make the trip to Termas after he managed to stay on his bike despite the collision. Although, the sheer force of the contact with Marquez was enough to break one of his toes.

As punishment, Marquez received a double long-lap penalty for causing the crash which will be served in Argentina.

Oliveira’s omission further adds to the outcry that Marquez is essentially escaping the time penalty as it only applies to the Argentine Grand Prix, which he is unfit for, and is not transferrable.

Capping off a weekend of carnage at the season-opener, in the class’ first-ever sprint race, Bastianini suffered a broken collarbone in a frightening collision.

Earlier, in practice, Espargaro was hospitalised after a horrifying high-speed crash left the Spanish veteran with “severe spinal trauma and a contusion to his lungs”.

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