The first race of the 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship was red flagged in the early stages following a crash for Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) and Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The race was red flagged during the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round with Montella declared unfit with a left collarbone fracture and Huertas taken to hospital for further evaluation after being declared unfit.

During this further evaluation, Huertas was diagnosed with a fracture to this fifth lumbar vertebra and to fractures to his ribs and he remains unfit. He was evaluated at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where he was diagnosed with these injuries. The Spanish rider had been showing strong pace throughout both the Official Test and the Australian Round, finishing eighth in the Tissot Superpole session and third in Friday’s combined classification.

Following on from his hospital evaluation, Huertas posted a statement on Instagram. He said: “Medical update: Today I had a big crash on Race 1, unluckily I was hit by other riders that couldn’t avoid me. After some medical exams the result is a broken vertebrae L5. Now I will be transported to another hospital on Melbourne for some more medical exams so we will keep you updated.”

Huertas also thanked Montella following the crash after the Italian rider helped him. Huertas continued: “Thank you to Yari Montella for coming to help me after the crash even with a broken collarbone. Speedy recovery, Yari.”

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