Bagnaia taken to hospital after Qatar sprint crash

Ducati has confirmed that Pecco Bagnaia has been taken to hospital in Doha after suffering two fractures in his right foot in a violent crash during the MotoGP sprint race in Qatar on Saturday. The Italian had been having one of his strongest weekends of the season, qualifying fifth, and had briefly reached the podium positions at the start of the 11-lap sprint before dropping back to fifth. He was involved in an incident at the final corner with Gresini's Fermin Aldeguer, which led to the race being red-flagged. Bagnaia was stretchered away but was reported as conscious at the scene.

Ducati said the fractures involve the fourth and fifth metatarsals, and that he will be assessed for possible surgery. The team has not officially ruled him out of Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix, but its update suggests he is unlikely to start. The FIM stewards found Aldeguer at fault and handed him two long lap penalties for the restarted sprint.