Aussie young gun Jacob Roulstone suffers fractured vertebrae weeks out from Moto3 season

Australian young gun Jacob Roulstone has suffered a broken neck in a training crash that threatens to cruel the start of his 2025 Moto3 season.

But the teenage rider, who turns 20 in February, says he is determined to pull on the leathers once again.

Roulstone shared the health update after being flown from Jerez to Barcelona ahead of an operation.

“Last Friday I had a crash whilst training at Jerez, which has left me with a fractured and displaced C3 vertebrae in my neck,” he wrote.

“After three nights in Jerez hospital, I was lucky enough to be medically flown to Barcelona yesterday and now in the best hands to have surgery in the next day or two.

“It’s a real shame to have this after such good pre-season I was having, but now it is about recovering as fast and as safely as possible to be back on the bike.

“Cannot thank Xavi Arenas enough for being by my side and helping to arrange everything, as well as the medical staff involved.”

Roulstone’s team Tech3 wrote: “Take care of yourself.”

He would appear almost certain to miss the Moto3 season opener on the first weekend of March in Thailand, and absences could mount with races taking place every fortnight until June.

The Red Bull-backed NSW product has long been locked in to race with Tech3 this year following a successful debut in 2024.

He re-signed halfway through a season in which he claimed a best result of eighth on three occasions before finishing third among rookies and 15th overall in the standings.

“This year has been a great learning year for my rookie season in Moto3 world championship,” Roulstone wrote in December.

“Some of my best riding and some of the most difficult riding. Learning new tracks and visiting new places was great.

“My team and I worked really well together. The start of the year was great. Managing points in my first eight races, a few hiccups through the mid-part of the season and then bringing back around to the way I started for the back end of the season.

“Without the guys in the team supporting me, I wouldn’t be able to finish the season this way and I’m very grateful to have each of them with me again into next year.

“My biggest highlight was certainly riding in Australia. I cannot express how awesome it was to see all the supporters at Phillip Island for my first home GP, it is something that I will never forget.

“Thank you to all that cheered me on. It was amazing to see so many flags and it helped calm the nerves for such a big event in my career so far.

“And lastly to all my family, Mum, Dad and my sister for being my biggest supporters and the non stop help and commitment.”

Roulstone is one of two Australians signed up to race in Moto3 this year, with Joel Kelso returning for his fourth full-time campaign.

Aussie teenager Senna Agius will continue in Moto2.

In MotoGP, four-time race winner Jack Miller will bid to put his difficult two-year stint with KTM behind him after joining Pramac for the team’s debut as a factory-backed Yamaha team.