Catalunya MotoGP: Jacque ruled out of Barcelona clash

French rider Olivier Jacque has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Catalunya GP.

The former world 250 champion crashed heavily in this morning’s third free practice session at turn five, suffering neck injuries that required precautionary X-rays in a Barcelona hospital.

He was put into a neck brace while still lying in the gravel trap and after initial checks in the circuit’s medical centre, it was decided that he needed to be transferred to hospital by ambulance for further examination.

The 33-year-old also suffered concussion in the incident and further checks in the paddock tonight when he was discharged from hospital saw Kawasaki bosses decide to rule him out of tomorrow’s clash.

Although he didn’t qualify for the 25-lap race, Kawasaki could have asked for special dispensation to allow him to compete.

It is the third time in four races that Jacque has been forced out of action through injury. He suffered a serious right arm injury in Shanghai that forced him out of the China GP and he missed his home race in Le Mans last month. A surprise choice to partner compatriot Randy de Puniet in 2007, Jacque has suffered a nightmare full-time return to the premier class.

He was heavily criticised by Kawasaki bosses for a poor display in Jerez, and then caused chaos on the opening lap in Turkey when he wiped out Colin Edwards, Dani Pedrosa and Chris Vermeulen with a mistake on the first lap.

On a positive note for Kawasaki, de Puniet qualified second on the grid to claim his first premier class front row.