Ben Spies dislocates left shoulder in Indianapolis

Ben Spies has suffered another cruel injury blow at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway today after he dislocated his left shoulder in a crash in this morning’s third practice session.

The Texan has been ruled out of tomorrow’s 27-lap race with the shoulder problem he suffered when he lost control of his Ignite Ducati at Turn 4.

It was immediately obvious that Spies had a problem with his left shoulder, as he needed assistance from trackside staff to remove his helmet.

He was later diagnosed with a left shoulder dislocation after checks in the circuit medical centre and the injury is a massive blow for the 2009 World Superbike champion.

He was only returning in Indianapolis after recovering from a long-standing right shoulder problem that has dogged him since he first damaged it 10 months ago during a rain-lashed Sepang race in Malaysia.

Today’s fresh injury setback means Spies will still have only raced a factory-backed Ducati Desmosedici twice in 2013 and there is no indication on whether he will be fit to travel to the Czech Republic for next weekend’s Brno clash.