Locatelli badly hurt in GP smash

Former world 125 champion Roberto Locatelli is in intensive care in a Cadiz hospital tonight after a horrendous crash in free practice for the Spanish GP this morning.

The Italian, currently riding in the 250 class, is under heavy sedation having suffered multiple injuries in the crash as he accelerated out of the Peluqui right-hander at the Jerez venue.

He has multiple fractures to the right side of his face, which will require reconstructive surgery from the eye socket to the jaw line, and a compound fracture to his left ankle.

Locatelli had just exited the Peluqui corner and was on the short straight before the Criville Corner when his factory Gilera suddenly veered to the left and slammed into a trackside tyre wall at close to 100mph.

There have been no reports yet confirming mechanical failure was the cause with investigations on-going. The injuries are so serious that Locatelli is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season.