This just in from KTM:
Mika Kallio ruled out of German MotoGP after Free Practice crash
MotoGP Announcement
Red Bull KTM test rider Mika Kallio damaged ligaments in his right knee after a fast crash during Free Practice 2 at Sachsenring today for the Grand Prix of Germany and will not participate in the rest of the ninth round of the MotoGP season this weekend.
The Fin was competing for the third time this year as part of the testing and development programme with the KTM RC16. After five laps of FP2 he lost control around Turn 8 of the winding, twisty and challenging Sachsenring layout and entered the gravel trap. The former Grand Prix winner tried to lose as much speed as possible before arriving to the air fence but tumbled dramatically into the padding followed by his #36 race bike.
Mika Kallio was taken for medical examinations on a painful right knee where a scan revealed significant damage to the ligaments. The injury will necessitate corrective surgery.
Kallio: “I was tipping into the corner on the front brake and the rear lost contact. I had to pick up the bike and I knew I was into the gravel. I saw I had quite a lot of speed and unfortunately I could not turn enough and the barriers came closer and closer. Everything happened in one or two seconds and I had to make a decision really quick. I tried to put it down and avoid the big impact but I flew into the wall. Somehow the bike hit me because we went into the fence together and maybe it caused the problem with the knee. Anyway, considering the speed, I think we had a lot of luck with that crash. It could have been much worse. I felt that something wasn’t right with the knee but at the same time a bit relieved. Anyway this is definitely not the way we wanted the weekend to go. I’ve had broken ligaments before but not quite as bad as it feels right now. To move it means a lot of pain. I initially hoped it might just be a big impact but when they made the MRI the doctor said I need surgery. We need to make a plan now and hopefully come back when everything is fine. Racing in Austria this season would have been a highlight for me and it is four weeks away. I cannot say what will happen but I hope there is some way I can be on the grid.”
