MotoGP riders Aleix and Pol Espargaro undergo surgery

Suzuki rider Aleix required surgery to repair ligament damage to his right thumb, sustained in his violent crash during French Grand Prix practice at Le Mans last Sunday.

He had returned to the track for qualifying and the race - although he retired early with a clutch problem - but further medical examinations after the event revealed the need for more treatment.

Regular MotoGP surgeon Dr Xavier Mir carried out the operation in Barcelona's Dexeus University Hospital.

"Aleix Espargaro has had an operation on his right thumb with the removal of the ulnar collateral ligament, proceeding to reinsertion of the ligament and a 2mm intraligamentary suture anchor," said Dr Mir.

Espargaro will have his fitness assessed again next Wednesday to determine whether he can compete in the upcoming Italian GP at Mugello.

His younger brother Pol had an operation to attend to compartment syndrome - or arm pump - on his right forearm.

The Tech 3 rider encountered the problem during the Jerez race earlier this month and hoped that treatment before Le Mans would alleviate it, but after struggling again in France he opted to have surgery.

The operation took place under Dr Angel Villamor in the Nisa Pardo Aravaca Hospital in Madrid.

"I had noticed this discomfort in my arm after some events before and I thought that it would get better quickly after the end so the race, but it didn't," said Espargaro.

"The truth is that I had experienced that sensation before but I did not consider it important, but unfortunately in these last two races it has been a little more serious."