After yesterday’s crash while leading the qualifying race for the MXGP of France, Gautier Paulin will not race today in front of his home crowd.
Crashing heavily on the landing of the fast downhill section just after the finish line, Paulin and his bike took a heavy impact.
He walked away from the crash and physically the Frenchman is fine, and was keen to ride again today, but the cut sustained above his right eye that received five stitches has swelled to the point where it is compromising his vision.
By mutual agreement between the medical team, Team HRC and Paulin, GP21 will not participate in the MXGP of France today.
“I had a good night of rest and this morning physically I feel fine, but just I can’t see properly with the swelling in my right eye,” said Paulin. “I woke this morning and I really wanted to be on the bike. I did my routine, warmed-up and wanted to race.
“I went to see the medical team and they checked me and I’m fine, physically. There’s no damage to my body, and my eye is also fine, but I just have the swelling above it from the impact. We discuss a lot with the team this morning and we all agreed that I will not race today.
“It’s such a shame and I’m sorry for the team and for the fans, but this is racing and it can happen. It was so good leading yesterday, being at the front again, especially with the French fans, and I’m super motivated for Matterley [British GP]. I’ll be back there for sure as they say the swelling will reduce in 3-4 days, but just today it’s impossible as I can’t see fully.
“Yesterday I was riding to win, and today I wanted to ride to win but my condition won’t allow that. I’m gutted to not be able to race today as we had a really good chance this weekend, but this is the only option.”
