Dani Pedrosa unsure of Sachsenring start

MotoGP world championship leader Dani Pedrosa remains a doubt for tomorrow’s German MotoGP round at the Sachsenring after he suffered a sickening high-side crash in this morning’s third free practice session.

The Spaniard plans to have a medical check in the morning after a massive crash at the first corner left him with a small fracture in his left collarbone.

The Repsol Honda rider was not even pushing when he lost the rear of his factory Honda RC213V machine in cool and cloudy conditions this morning.

Pedrosa was flicked high into the air before landing heavily on his left shoulder, while his head also slammed onto the tarmac.

With a history of collarbone injuries, the triple world champion immediately began feeling around his left collarbone before slowly getting to his feet.

He underwent medical checks at the circuit but began feeling dizzy and he also suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure.

He was taken by helicopter to a Chemnitz hospital for additional checks and scans but results showed he had not suffered head or internal injuries.

Today’s crash was a body blow for Pedrosa, who has repeatedly seen injuries and bad luck ruin his bid to capture an elusive premier class title.

The German round presented him with a golden opportunity to seize control of the 2013 title chase with closest rival and reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo already ruled out of tomorrow’s 30-lap race after fell heavily in FP2.

Pedrosa, who has a nine-point lead over his absent compatriot, said: “It was definitely a scary moment and I’m still not totally sure what happened. I hit my head hard and immediately felt a lot of pain in my shoulder and I checked to see if I could feel anything.

Thankfully in the medical centre they saw it wasn’t broken but maybe a small fracture, and I was also feeling very dizzy but never lost consciousness. Just to be safe, we flew to Chemnitz Hospital for a CAT scan and then returned to Clinica Mobile at the circuit. They confirmed I had a small fracture in my left collarbone but I am thankful it wasn’t a complete break.

Now I will rest tonight and see how I feel in the morning. If I feel strong enough I will have the medical check to clear me for the race.”

Dr Enric Caceres, who was one of the medical team to treat Pedrosa earlier today, said: “The collarbone does not have a full fracture. We could see an old fracture that is perfect but he has a new one that is not complete. If he were to have a new fall it is possible the collarbone fractures completely, becomes displaced and requires surgery.Normally a collarbone fracture heals in four weeks.

The problem he has now will be the same for Laguna Seca. The risk for displacement is the same if he falls tomorrow or if he falls in Laguna Seca. The collarbone could become displaced but in three weeks it will be fully healed.”