Enea Bastianini will finally continue his first MotoGP season as a Ducati factory team rider after being cleared to race at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Bastianini broke his shoulder blade after colliding with VR46 Ducati rider Luca Marini on lap two of last month’s Portuguese Grand Prix sprint race.
The Ducati rider has been ruled out for the rest of the weekend in Portugal, undergoing further examination of his shoulder and determined not to require surgery.
However, Bastianini missed the following week’s Argentine Grand Prix and failed the medical to qualify for the United States Grand Prix.
Bastianini took part in a private bike test earlier this week to assess his condition and traveled to Jerez with the intention of competing, pending a final check-up by a MotoGP doctor at the circuit.
MotoGP has confirmed that Bastianini has passed a medical and will take part in Friday’s free practice.
A short MotoGP Twitter statement reads: “MotoGP rider #23 Enea Bastianini has been declared healthy following a medical examination in Jerez.”
Enea Bastianini, Ducati Team, Luca Marini, VR46 Racing Team Crash
Photo Credit: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Ducati did not replace Bastianini in Argentina, but named test rider Michele Pirro to replace Bastianini for the United States Grand Prix.
Pirro finished 11th in a crash-filled Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
Bastianini has been promoted to the Factory Ducati team for this season after four victories on his year-old bike with the Gresini team in 2022.
Two riders on the full-time grid for the 2023 season will continue to miss the Spanish Grand Prix.
Marc Márquez has been kicked out of the Jerez round and sidelined for his third consecutive grand prix as he continues to recover from a broken right arm in a controversial collision with Miguel Oliveira at the Portuguese Grand Prix. became.
Tech3 GASGAS rider Pol Espargaro continues to recover from multiple fractures after a violent crash during practice in Portugal.
No timeline has been revealed for his return, but KTM test rider and one-time MotoGP podium finisher Jonas Folger will take over in the near future.
Iker Lecuona, who spent two seasons with Tech3 and KTM in 2020 and 2021, will replace Honda’s Marquez at Jerez.