Salom forced to retire from Misano race as lingering injury takes its toll

The Grand Prix of San Marino only lasted six laps for Luis Salom. The injury to his right hand played too many tricks on the RW Racing GP rider. “I had no feeling in my right hand”, said Salom about his decision to quit in the sixth lap.

“Especially when braking, I could not put any power in it. I almost ran into Maverick Vinales because I could not brake hard enough. I did not want to take unnecessary risks and endanger myself and others. Entering the pit is not an easy decision, but I think I had no other choice.”
The team fully supported the decision of Salom. “Sensible decision”, commented team owner Roelof Waninge. “The operation to Luis’ hand was only two weeks ago. The load to the right hand is huge in the race. We prefer Luis is back in two weeks in Aragon to him crashing.”

In the messy start of the 125cc race Salom already had problems which cost him a number of places immediately. Already by the end of the first lap there was a gap between the leading group and Salom. After three laps the gap had grown to 2.5 seconds. Salom couldn’t even manage to hold ninth position due to his swollen hand in which a number of screws keep the fractures together.

Salom will fly back to Mallorca on Monday to continue to work on the recovery of the strength in his hand.

Source: RW Racing GP