Estoril MotoGP: Bradley Smith escapes injury after heavy practice spill

Bradley Smith has been given a clean bill of health after a big high-side crash in opening practice for Sunday’s Estoril 125GP.
Just under 15 minutes of the session remained when the 18-year-old was thrown over the handlebars of his Aspar Aprilia machine.
The Oxfordshire rider was taken away on a stretcher after suffering a painful blow to his right foot and ankle, but medical checks in the Estoril paddock have revealed no serious damage.
An Aspar Aprilia spokesman said Smith may have suffered a small crack in his right foot, but it would not prevent him from participating in the remainder of the weekend.
Smith said: “To be honest the crash was completely unexpected. We started out taking things step by step and as the laps went by I was feeling more and more comfortable. For a first practice it was going perfectly to plan because I was managing to improve in a few of the braking areas, which is where I struggle for feeling here. It was just then that I crashed. The bike spat me into the air and the next thing I knew I was lying in the gravel. Luckily it was just a big scare and a heavy blow to my right ankle. The Clinica Mobile doctors are taking care of it and making sure I’ll be fit for tomorrow.”