Dovi surgery complete, will start rehabilitation 'immediately'

Ducati's MotoGP title runner-up Andrea Dovizioso 'will start rehabilitation immediately' and 'take part in the 2020 season opener at Jerez' after undergoing shoulder surgery.

An avid motocross rider, Dovizioso fractured his left collarbone when he fell on the landing of a jump during a rare appearance in a regional championship race, in Faenza.

Surgery to plate the compound fracture took place that same evening (Sunday) in Modena, and the Italian – runner-up to Marc Marquez for the past three seasons – now faces a race against time to be as fit as possible for next month's season-openers.

"Andrea Dovizioso underwent surgery to correct a displaced fracture of the sternal margin of the clavicle," said Prof. Giuseppe Porcellini of the Policlinico di Modena. "We proceeded with the internal fixation of a plate with six screws with anatomic reduction and, from a mechanical point of view, we are delighted with the outcome of the operation.

"Apart from me, the medical team was composed by Prof. Fabio Catani, who personally supervised the operation, Prof. Luigi Tarallo and Doctor Andrea Giorgini. I want to thank the Direction of the Policlinico di Modena that made the operating room available in three hours, and all the staff who made possible to perform the surgery quickly".

Dovizioso - one of many MotoGP riders to have trained on motocross bikes since the end of lockdown - is next due to ride his Ducati MotoGP machine during an Official test at Jerez on July 15. Free practice for the first of two back-to-back grands prix at the Spanish circuit then starts on July 17.

"The surgery went well, and I want to thank all the medical team that did the operation so quickly," Dovizioso said. "I don't feel much pain, and that makes me very optimistic. I came home this morning, and during the afternoon, I will plan my rehabilitation. I am confident that in these weeks I will be able to recover and that I will be in full shape in time for the first 2020 GP in Jerez."

Dovi is currently negotiating a 2021 contract extension with Ducati.

Team-mate Danilo Petrucci did not participate in the Motocross race. Ducati told Crash.net that they did not prevent Petrucci from riding and that it had been his own decision.