MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia was involved in a horrifying crash at the Catalunya Grand Prix.
Yesterday (3 September), the Italian motorcycle racer came off his bike on the opening lap of the Barcelona race.
The crash occurred on the first corner of the racecourse and involved four other riders; with the 26-year-old racer coming off his Ducati bike and South African racer Brad Binder unable to avoid Bagnaia's legs, subsequently running them over.
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Bagnaia was attended to by onsite medics before being rushed to hospital.
Dr Angel Charte, MotoGP's medical director, as quoted by Sky Italia, said the motorbike 'passed over [Bagnaia] in the area of the femur and tibia'.
He continued: "We have taken X-rays of this area and have detected a small injury that we don't know if it is current or old.
"We need to do an urgent CAT scan and that is why we have sent him to the general hospital.
"At cranial, thoracic and abdominal levels, he has been normal at all times. He was conscious and oriented. The image we have seen is from conventional radiology, so it is difficult to be sure that there is no fracture."
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Thankfully, Bagnaia's team later shared that the 26-year-old miraculously avoided sustaining any fractures.
The latest update from yesterday reads: "Bagnaia suffered multiple bruises, but further medical tests revealed no fractures.
"The reigning World Champion will fly to Italy with the team this evening."
Bagnaia's teammate, Enea Bastianini, was also involved in a collision, slipping at the first corner of the racecourse. He was similarly taken to hospital and is set to have surgery on his hand and ankle - both of which are temporarily 'immobilised with plaster to enable him to travel to Italy'.
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In a post to Instagram late last night, Bagnaia uploaded a picture of himself in hospital.
The image shows him in his racing gear, sat on the edge of a hospital bed with his thumb up to the camera.
The caption reads: "Today I can only say thanks."
Fans of the motorcycle racer have flocked to the post in support, wishing him a speedy recovery.
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One Instagram user said: "Get well soon Pecco. MotoGP needs your talent and show of skills."
Another wrote: "Now we have doubts that you have the bones of Adamantio like Wolverine! Come on Pecco!"
While a third commented: "Pecco you made us worry, it was a terrible fall with all those bikes coming. Happy to see you like this."
And the Moto GP Instagram account said: "So glad to you’re relatively OK, Pecco! Get well soon, Champ!"
Topics: Sport, Cars, Health, Celebrity, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck