Aprilia MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaro will not be able to take part in this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang due to injury.
Espargaro fractured the fourth metacarpus in his left hand after crashing out in last weekend’s Phillip Island race at Turn 1.
The Spaniard opted against having surgery on the injury, as this would likely have ruled him out of being able to race again at Sepang.
But now he has confirmed he will have to return to his native Spain for an operation after all, which prevents him from being present for the penultimate round of the season.
“Unfortunately I will not be able to race in Malaysia,” Espargaro wrote on his Instagram account.
“My hand is super-painful, so tonight I fly back home for surgery!”
MotoGP regulations do not oblige the Italian manufacturer to field two bikes with Espargaro ruled out at such short notice, and Aprilia has confirmed it will not replace him this weekend.