SEPANG, Malaysia — In a setback for the reigning World MotoGP champion, Jorge Martín suffered a fractured right hand as well as injuries to his left foot during a preseason testing session with his new team, Aprilia.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Sepang circuit when Martín crashed in what is commonly referred to as a “highside,” which is a type of accident that can propel a rider off the motorcycle unexpectedly. The force of the fall caused him to hit his head hard against the track surface.

In response to the incident, the MotoGP series issued a statement confirming that Martín would undergo surgery later this week in Spain to address the fractures. Due to these injuries, he will be unable to participate in the remainder of the three-day testing event. Fortunately, medical scans have shown that there are no head injuries from the crash.

Last season, Martín claimed the World Championship title riding for Ducati, marking a significant achievement in his racing career. As he recovers from his injuries, the focus will now shift toward the commencement of the new season, which is scheduled to kick off at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit from February 28 to March 2.