Marco Melandri battered and bruised after Catalunya test crash

Hayate rider Marco Melandri is expected to be fit for the next MotoGP clash in Assen after he suffered multiple injuries in a spectacular high-side crash in Barcelona yesterday.

Just minutes remained on the first day of only two days of in-season testing now permitted in MotoGP when Melandri crashed out while trying to improve on his 11th position. The Italian was viciously high-sided from the re-branded factory Kawasaki ZX-RR, which was completely destroyed in the incident.

Melandri was given the all-clear after precautionary checks in the circuit medical centre after the former world 250GP champion suffered dizziness and a bloodied nose in the crash. And while X-rays confirmed Melandri hadn’t broken any bones, a Hayate team spokesman confirmed he did have suspected small cracks in both his left hand and left ankle.

“It was a very big crash and the bike was completely destroyed. Marco has a lot of swelling on his left and also on his left ankle. There might be cracks in bones in both places, but nothing too serious.

“He had a bang on his head too and he stayed with one of the team in the hotel last night for observation, but we expect him to be fit for Assen.”

Melandri ended the test in 11th with a best time of 1.43.506.