WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista given cervical nerves compression diagnosis but ‘surgery not planned’

Reigning WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista has been given a cervical nerves compression diagnosis after a wild card appearance at the Malaysian MotoGP.

It is understood that Bautista suffered an injury a few days prior to his MotoGP following a post-season test in Jerez.

“After medical specialist consultation and cervical spine MRI review due to loss of strength, numbness, and tingling sensation in the left upper limb reported after the crash in Jerez test and MotoGP Grand Prix of Malaysia, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team’s rider was diagnosed with C6-C7 hernia and C5-C6 disc protrusions.

“Further medical examinations and tests will be carried out in the next few days in order to assess possible damages due to the cervical nerves compression. For the time being, however, surgery is not planned.”

He came second-to-last in every session of the weekend, except the free practice which took place on the morning of November 11.

Speaking after the race, he revealed that the reason for his poor form was a neck injury before receiving this latest diagnosis.

“I told it to my team yesterday afternoon, after the race.

“In the Jerez test, after the last race [of the WSBK season], I had a very ugly crash. I crashed with my head and had some pain in my neck, but no more problems and the mobility was good.

“Then I came here and from Friday, I started to feel no power in the left, and especially in the left corners. I worked a lot with [MotoGP medical partner] Quiron health, but it was every time a bit worse and worse.

“For sure I didn’t ride as I wanted, and I’m so angry with myself because I cannot enjoy and I cannot push really good.”

Bautista enjoyed a superb WorldSBK campaign after winning a second consecutive title, finishing with 628 points – 76 clear of Toprak Razgatlioglu in second.

However, that success has clearly come at a cost with only Alex Loews (15), Iker Leucoma (13) and Lorenzo Baldassarri (11) suffering more crashes than the Spaniard’s total of 10 during the season.