British MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa fit for Silverstone clash

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa will be fit to compete in tomorrow’s British MotoGP race at Silverstone after a late and painful qualifying crash.

The Repsol Honda rider was trying to improve his third position when he lost control of his factory RC212V at the Brooklands Corner left-hander as he was poised to finish his final flying lap.

The triple world champion was then run over by his bike and failed to get to his feet as he appeared in some discomfort. 

The 24-year-old was taken away from the scene on a stretcher but by the time he reached the circuit’s medical centre he was able to walk unaided and X-rays revealed no serious damage.

Pedrosa confirmed he had nasty bruising to both knees and his RC212V machine was severely damaged in the accident as it ran on and slammed nose first into a trackside barrier at high speed.

The chassis was so badly damaged that marshals had to move the bike on its back wheel.

Pedrosa, who ended third with a best time of 2.03.586, said: “I was on my last lap and I braked but when I went into the left I hit some bumps and the front moved a lot. I just had a little slide but I let go of the bike.

“I’m not sure what happened but the bike obviously hit me on both knees. At that moment it hurt but later the pain was going away and I’m going to be okay.”