The NTS RW Racing rider Barry Baltus on Saturday suffered a spectacular accident in the Moto2 free practice session at the Qatar Grand Prix. The Belgian rider skidded while trying to make a tight turn and flew off his motorcycle.
The NTS RW Racing team principal Jarno Janssen lamented the accident of Baltus, who is considered one of the great promises of motorcycling, having participated in the French GP last year.
“This is a major setback for Barry himself but also for the team. He is at the start of his career in the Moto2 class of the MotoGP World Championship, a career that is currently dominated by learning and progressing as much as possible.” Janssen said.
“It is nice to see that sometimes you have to temper his enthusiasm a bit, but unfortunately his enthusiasm was punished today.” Janssen added.
In the crash in the first corner after start and finish, a big highsider, Baltus was able to leave the place of the crash on foot, but not much later it became clear that he was in pain and sat down. He was transferred to the medical center for a medical check latter.
It is now known that Baltus suffered two fractures in his left wrist in the crash and that he cannot and may not take action for the rest of the weekend.
“Barry fell from a highsider in the first corner – after exiting the pit lane – in a crash in which he suffered a double fracture of the wrist. It is clear that he will miss this Grand Prix weekend in Qatar, but also the next Grand Prix here at the Losail International Circuit.” Janssen said.
Baltus will recover in time for the first European Grand Prix of the season in Portimao. It is still unclear at the moment, normally recovery from such an injury will take about six to eight weeks.