Martin leaves hospital a week after Qatar MotoGP crash

Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Marti has left hospital a week after a brutal crash in the Qatar Grand Prix, his Aprilia team said on Sunday.

The 27-year-old, who was making his first appearance of the season, slid out shortly after the halfway mark at Lusail and was clipped by the Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio who was just behind him.

His team said during the week that Martin had "suffered a hemopneumothorax" -- broken ribs, and blood and air in the space around his lungs.

"Jorge (Martin) has been discharged from Hamad Hospital and will remain in Qatar for a few more days until his condition is stabilised," Aprilia said in a statement on Sunday.

"He will be repatriated to Europe as soon as his condition allows."

Martin, who now has next to no chance of defending his title, was first injured during pre-season testing in Sepang and had to undergo surgery at the beginning of February.

He then suffered another crash which necessitated another operation on his left hand at the end of February, just before the opening round of the season in Thailand.

The Spaniard, who will be out for an unspecified number of races, will be replaced by Italian Lorenzo Savadori for the Spanish GP at Jerez de la Frontera next week.