South African Moto3 rider Ruché Moodley lucky to walk away from ‘scary’ Mugello crash

It’s been a painful year for South African Moto3 rookie rider Ruché Moodley after he sustained another fall and fracture in Italy last Sunday in what many described as a scary crash.

Within the space of four months, Moodley’s had surgery twice on his right hand, and sustained three fractures to his right side limbs.

The recent “scary” crash at Mugello saw him walk away with a fracture to his right shoulder blade. 

Moodley went down in the opening lap of the Mugello Grand Prix, and was then struck by some riders following behind him. In moments leading up to the crash, though, the rookie showed positive intent.

The South African teenager had to undergo an MRI scan to confirm if he sustained damage to his spine.

In a recent social media post, Moodley posted an image from his hospital bed in Barcelona, stating that he was in recovery and that he suffered “a few fractures”. 

“Grateful to be here after a scary crash in Mugello last Sunday. I’ve got a few fractures, but I am in good care. Thank you to my team BOE motorsports, friends, family and medical team for all the care and support. Time to recover,” Moodley said. 

In the sessions leading up to the crash, Moodley still looked like he was getting back to his usual pace before the April crash. 

There’s no denying that the young rider is going to be out for a while following the Mugello wipe-out, and hopefully rehabilitating his right side arm, which has endured severe stress this season. 

At the end of April, Moodley fell and crashed in Jerez, Spain and fractured his right radius, causing two other riders to crash well – David Almansa and David Munoz.

A rider’s right arm is used to accelerate a motorcycle, and young Moodley’s has suffered a great deal this year. 

He has already undergone a rigorous recovery process following the Jerez crash, and will have to get back into recovery mode once he is fit to leave hospital. 

There’s been little word from Moodley or his manager and dad Arushen Moodley regarding any finer details about his condition, but their spokesperson Sudhir Matai said that they would just like to focus on his recovery at this stage.