Nicky Hayden ruled out of home race in Indianapolis

Nicky Hayden will miss his home race at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway today after he suffered concussion and a double fracture in his right hand after a high speed qualifying crash.

The Kentucky rider lost control of his factory Ducati GP12 at Turn 14 and was momentarily knocked out when he hit the tarmac.

He was immediately transferred to the circuit medical centre by ambulance before moving to the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for further assessment.

The 2006 world champion underwent a CAT scan after being knocked unconscious in the crash that came with eight minutes of qualifying remaining.

Hayden was given the all clear after the CAT scan.

But the 31-year-old suffered two fractures in his right hand and was declared unfit to start the 28-lap race, which gets underway at 7pm UK time this evening.

It is not clear yet whether Hayden will be fit to ride in next weekend’s Czech Republic MotoGP round in Brno.

Yesterday’s qualifying session was a crash strewn affair with reigning world champion Casey Stoner also falling heavily at Turn 13 after a vicious high-side off his Repsol Honda RC213V machine. And Texan Ben Spies also fell heavily off his Yamaha YZR-M1 and he suffered a painful blow to his right arm.