Italian MotoGP: Bradley Smith plans to race with fractured left foot

British rider Bradley Smith plans to brave the pain of a broken fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot to race in tomorrow’s Italian 125GP.

The Polaris World Aprilia rider will have his fitness assessed after taking part in tomorrow’s morning warm-up session, but doctors believe he will be able to ride after X-rays in the Mugello circuit medical centre this afternoon.

Smith suffered a massive crash right at the end of final qualifying earlier today as he tried to secure a fourth pole position in six races.

Smith was up on the best time after the first two sections but crashed exiting a fast left-hander.

He landed heavily on his left side and there were initial fears he had broken his right wrist after he got tangled with his Aprilia machine.

X-rays have revealed no broken bones in his wrist, but he does have a broken metatarsal bone in his left foot.

Such an injury has been famous in recent years after high profile casualties in football including David Beckham and Wayne Rooney. When Rooney broke his fifth metatarsal in 2004 he needed a recovery period of six to eight weeks.

Metatarsals are the five long bones in the forefoot, which connect the ankle bones to those of the toes.