Victim of a serious left knee injury during the Catalan Grand Prix, Johann Zarco will ultimately not undergo surgery. The Castrol Honda LCR team announced this morning a favorable medical development. His return to MotoGP is now envisaged for September, even if the Aragon Grand Prix, scheduled for August 30, remains a possibility.
The news is encouraging for Johann Zarco. More than a month and a half after the heavy crash that occurred during the Catalan Grand Prix, the French driver will finally avoid knee surgery on his left knee. The information was officially confirmed Wednesday by the Castrol Honda LCR team following a new consultation held in Lyon with Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet.
The statement explains that the initial examinations performed after the accident were disrupted by significant knee inflammation, preventing a complete assessment of the injuries. The examinations carried out after the inflammation decreased delivered more reassuring results.
The team states: “After his crash in Catalonia, the initial MRI scans were performed while the knee was still heavily inflamed, which made it difficult to accurately assess the true extent of the injury. As the inflammation decreased, further examinations made it possible to obtain a clearer and more encouraging picture than initially expected: the injuries initially suspected were ultimately not confirmed.”
The medical diagnosis has also evolved regarding the knee ligaments. Team LCR indicates: “The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is healing well, while the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), initially considered ruptured, also shows encouraging signs of recovery. However, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remains ruptured.”
In recent weeks, Johann Zarco was waiting for complete healing of a burn around the knee before considering surgery. During this period, the French driver continued his physical work. The progress observed ultimately led the medical staff to favor conservative treatment.
A message posted on social media from his team accompanies this announcement. The photos show Johann Zarco alongside the medical team overseeing his care. The French driver performs several rehabilitation exercises and also appears to be jumping on a bench, both knees bent, illustrating the progress made since the Barcelona accident.
The statement specifies: “Following the recommendations of the medical team, and as the doctors are impressed by Johann Zarco’s progress, the driver will ultimately not be operated on. He will continue a rehabilitation program focused on recovery and muscle strengthening. Subject to future medical assessments, the objective is to allow Zarco to return to the track in September.”
An injury sustained during the spectacular Barcelona accident
The injury dates back to May 17, during a Catalan Grand Prix that was particularly eventful. The race held at the Barcelona circuit was interrupted twice by red flags before experiencing three starts.
The second start resulted in a spectacular collision at the first corner. Johann Zarco, Luca Marini and Francesco Bagnaia were involved in the same crash. The French driver’s left leg remained trapped under Bagnaia’s Ducati, causing significant knee injuries.
The day after the accident, the initial medical report issued by LCR stated “injuries to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, as well as to the medial meniscus. He also suffered a slight fibula injury at the ankle.” This last injury is now completely healed.
Two days after the accident, Johann Zarco consulted Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet. Surgery seemed inevitable at the time, but had to be postponed to allow the knee trauma to subside. When the time for surgery arrived, a persistent wound around the knee led doctors to delay the operation once again due to a high risk of infection. Johann Zarco himself explained this situation on social media in early June.
A possible return at the Aragon Grand Prix?
LCR’s statement now sets a target for return during September. In the meantime, Cal Crutchlow will continue to serve as substitute. The British driver will take part in the German Grand Prix next week, the last round before the summer break. Since Johann Zarco’s injury, Cal Crutchlow has already competed in the Italian, Hungarian, Czech and Dutch Grand Prix races.
No date has yet been set for the driver’s return. The Aragon Grand Prix, held on August 30, is however not entirely ruled out. Such a comeback would allow Johann Zarco to have missed only seven Grand Prix races since the Barcelona accident.
This hypothesis nevertheless remains cautious. A return at the San Marino Grand Prix, scheduled for September 13, or during the Austria Grand Prix on September 20 weekend appears today as the most likely scenario. The next medical examinations will confirm or not the schedule for the French driver’s return to MotoGP.
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