MotoGP champ Francesco Bagnaia’s leg run over in horror crash

MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia’s leg was run over in a horrific crash, and viewers were furious at replays of the incident.

Francesco Bagnaia has his leg run over in a nasty MotoGP crash.

Aleix Espargaro won the Catalunya MotoGP at Montmelo on Sunday marred by world champion Francesco Bagnaia’s horror crash.

Espargaro’s Aprilia teammate Maverick Vinales took second with Jorge Martin completing the podium at the Montmelo circuit.

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As Espargaro celebrated a dream double at his home race after also winning Saturday’s sprint, Bagnaia was receiving medical attention in a local hospital after a first lap crash.

The Ducati rider set off from pole, avoiding a multi-bike pile up at turn one.

Then at the next corner Bagnaia lost control, the Italian thrown violently into the air in front of the chasing pack.

Brad Binder’s KTM then ran over Bagnaia’s leg in a horrific incident that is expected to leave him with a serious leg injury.

Oh my..... That is not good Pecco Bagnaia 😢 #MotoGPpic.twitter.com/y2tLd1jSyU

— Senator Heisenberg🔃 (@FernndoAlonso14) September 3, 2023

Francesco Bagnaia has his leg run over in a nasty crash. Photo: Twitter.

Francesco Bagnaia receives medical assistance after the crash. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)

Footage of the pileup makes for confronting viewing and MotoGP’s broadcaster was widely criticised for showing replays of the crash and cutting to Bagnaia’s distressed family.

The replay of that Bagnaia crash is seriously hard to watch. Bravest of the brave #MotoGP

— Chad Neylon 🇦🇺 (@chadneylon) September 3, 2023

MotoGP showing gratuitous replays of Bagnaia having his legs run over, him writhing around in agony afterwards and shots of his loved ones in tears as he’s in an ambulance.

Absolutely unacceptable. I’m disgusted by the complete insensitivity.#MotoGP#CatalanGP

— Laura Leslie (@LauraLeslieF1) September 3, 2023

MotoGP journalist Simon Patterson tweeted: “The gratuitous replays and shots of an injured rider in the middle of the track receiving medical attention. Some people in this championship have zero morales.”

We Are the Race’s Valentin Khorounzhiy said: “The crash footage debate you can have - but I don’t think it’s a particularly controversial stance to suggest that we didn’t need a) the shots of Bagnaia in agony on the ground and ESPECIALLY b) the shots of his immediate family being comforted.”

The runaway series leader was conscious, and taken away to the track’s medical centre in an ambulance, with the crowd applauding him with a standing ovation.

Bagnaia leads the championship by 66 points form Jorge Martin up to his crash. The race was red-flagged immediately as officials got to work to clear the track of debris and oil.

The race restarted for 23 of the 24 laps.

Also missing was Enea Bastianini, one of the fallen riders also taken to the medical centre for a check-up.