Credit: X/@MotoGP

Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martín has been taken to hospital after highsiding twice from his bike in the opening hours of pre-season testing in Sepang, Malaysia on Wednesday.

Aprilia Racing’s Martín, who remounted after the first fall, was thrown into the air after a crash on turn two, landing hard on his feet before landing face first onto the asphalt.

The session was briefly red-flagged as he was taken to the medical centre by ambulance. The 27-year-old Spaniard will stay in hospital overnight after suffering fractures to his right hand and left foot before flying back to Europe to undergo surgery.

“He’s at the hospital undergoing tests due to left foot and right hand pain,” MotoGP said in a statement. “We’re sending our best wishes to the World Champ.”

Trackhouse Racing’s Raúl Fernández was forced to withdraw from the three-day test after suffering a hand and foot fracture on Wednesday.

Martín’s Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi was asked if there was a reason for the amount of falls on track.

“Well, I don’t know exactly,” he said. “What I can say is that we have not enough soft tyres on the rear, which is the only one that is working here in Sepang.”