Niccolò Canepa recovering well after successful surgery

Michelle Liew

February 18, 2021

The speedy recovery expects Niccolò Canepa to be able to perform at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Niccolò Canepa | Photo credits: FIM Awards

Niccolò Canepa, Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official rider, is reported to be having a smooth recovery following a successful surgery yesterday. Doctors at the Hospital Universitario Dexeus in Barcelona operated to stabilise three fractures to Canepa’s left ankle. He sustained the injury in a testing crash at Valencia on Tuesday.

Canepa crashed heavily on entry to Valencia’s Turn 10 during a test session in Spain. Despite no injuries on his upper body, the heavy impact on his left ankle left the former World Champion with three fractures in the joint.

After an initial assessment in Valencia, Canepa was transported to the Hospital Universitario Dexeus in Barcelona, where surgeons stabilised the fractures with two plates, in a two-hour surgical procedure that took place on Wednesday evening.

The post-surgery prognosis shows good results. Canepa is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 17/18 April, the opening round of the 2021 Endurance World Championship season.

Niccolò Canepa: Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team

“We were out in Spain doing a block of testing ahead of the new season. On Tuesday morning in Valencia, I was maybe pushing a little too much on a track that was still a bit dirty, and I had a huge high side on the entry to Turn 10, probably the biggest I’ve ever had. The airbag in my leathers worked perfectly, but I took a big impact on my left ankle and sustained three fractures.

After an initial examination in Valencia, I travelled up to the Hospital Universitario Dexeus in Barcelona, where doctors inserted two plates to stabilise the fractures in an operation last night. The fractures were not so easy to plate but the doctors were very happy with the result and are confident that I’ll make a full recovery. Once the pain goes away in the next week or so then I’ll be able to start the rehabilitation process with some physiotherapy. I’m confident I’ll be fully fit for the first race of the 2021 season at Le Mans in April and I can’t wait to be back on the bike.”