Because Bagnaia was unharmed
How is it possible to resist such a hard blow to the legs? We went to ask about it Joseph Costanzoformer professor of orthopedics at Sapienza and head of Umberto 1 and considered one of the leading experts in the sector: “From that we were able to see – explains – Bagnaia was hit on the legs when he was in a supine position. So the bone had a shield from the upper guards and he cushioned the blow with the asphalt thanks to his calf muscles and ligaments. This prevented the bone from splitting. And to resist.”
What if Pecco had been in another position?
“It could have been very serious, with an almost certain fracture of at least one of the two bones of the leg, above all if he was shot while lying on his side. But luckily that didn’t happen.”
Is that one leg area sturdier than the others?
“Exactly from the video it is not clear where he was hit, but it seems that the impact was directly on us edge of the tibia which has a triangular section and therefore in the most resistant point”.
Among other things, Bagnaia was hit on the legs 3 years ago when he broke his tibial plateau in Brno in a test session. Did that complicate things?
“No, on the contrary, he favored them because the previous fracture created a strengthening of that area of the bone. So this too probably favored the outcome of the accident”.
And now? Is it possible there are no consequences if a 157 kg motorcycle plus the rider runs over your legs?
“We are talking about a young athlete with elastic and reinforced bones in that area by the reparative processes from the previous fracture. Sure, you have to see what condition are the ligaments and muscles that absorbed the blow?but if he hasn’t had knee ligament injuries there shouldn’t be any problems”.
Is Bagnaia now, at least in that area of the legs, weaker?
“Not as a bone, but bruises and sprains must be studied and treated”.
What time is there to return to the highest levels?
“Normally within two weeks, four at the most, everything is resolved if there are no major musculo-tendon and ligament injuries. Then there is to monitor the compression of the blood vessels, in particular of the veins, and of the nervous structures. But these are things that fall within the aftermath of contusions”.
Will it come back like new?
“It’s still a bit early to tell, but his fans can still rest assured.”
#MotoGP #Bagnaia #accident #Pecco #unscathed