MotoGP title contender to make last-minute Silverstone participation call

The Aprilia star was injured last time out in Germany, continuing an absolutely horrendous run of form.

Having won the opening three races of the season for a 17-point lead, Bezzecchi hasn’t scored in four straight Grand Prix, beginning with a ban for striking a marshal in Hungary.

Injuries and crashes have pushed him down to fourth in the standings, and the summer break couldn’t have come at a better time.

Yet despite double surgery for the collarbone break in Sachsenring and a knee clean-up, we still don’t know if ‘Bez’ will take part in Britain.

The Italian earlier said ‘I’ll be there,’ but the latest news takes the decision out of his hands.

Bezzecchi will have to receive medical approval from MotoGP doctors on Thursday before learning whether he can race.

In a team statement, he confirmed: "I'm happy to be back, but first I'll have to undergo medical checks to be declared fit to race.

In a positive sign, Bezzecchi has already been back on a bike. On July 29, he took part in a training event at Misano with Valentino Rossi and other VR46 Academy riders, completing a four-run session.

Bezzecchi earlier suffered a horror crash at 130mph in Assen but remarkably came away uninjured despite ragdolling across the tarmac and gravel pit in what he called ‘probably the worst crash’ of his career.

The 27-year-old then damaged his knee in a Germany practice before breaking his collarbone in a qualifying high-side, taking him out of the sprint and Grand Prix for another pointless weekend.

After having his collarbone repaired, Aprilia then confirmed he went back to hospital for further work on his knee:

On the other side of the garage things were far more positive for teammate Jorge Martin.

The 2024 champion leads the standings, but hasn’t been in race-winning form. However, that could well change given his new outlook: