Catalunya MotoGP: Bradley Smith cleared by doctors to race

Bradley Smith has been given the green light to start tomorrow’s 22-lap Catalunya 125GP clash after he escaped serious injury in a massive qualifying crash this afternoon.

Smith lost control of his Polaris World Aprilia as he made the fast exit out of the first corner. Although flipped over the handlebars, Smith landed next to his Aprilia and only let go of his machine as he careered through the gravel trap towards a trackside tyre fence.

Smith rolled numerous times and was then struck by his bike as it ricocheted back off the wall. He was stretchered away to the circuit medical centre for treatment, but doctors have confirmed he has suffered no broken bones.

The 17-year-old is still short of 100 per cent fitness after he crashed during qualifying a week ago for the Italian GP in Mugello. He broke a bone in his left foot and badly damaged ligaments and tendons in his right hand.

A spokesman for the Polaris World Aprilia squad said none of the Mugello injuries had been aggravated, but that the Oxfordshire rider was ‘battered and bruised.’

“Bradley has hurt his left hand this time but it is not serious. None of the Mugello injuries have worsened but he just feels very beaten up. It was a big crash but he will be okay.

“He is having physiotherapy to ease the pain and he will race tomorrow, “said a spokesman.

Smith’s crash left him eighth on the grid with a best time of 1.51.439.