Capirossi ruled out of Assen race

The Italian was returning after missing last week's race at Donington Park with a broken bone in his hand, but he crashed in the second practice session today and his inner right forearm was punctured by the footpeg and the bike landed on him.

He was taken to the medical centre and operated on to repair the wound immediately, but has to rest the arm and will take no further part in this weekend's event.

"I lost control and the bike jumped me out of the seat," said Capirossi. "When I crashed the bike came on top of me and i get this hole in my arm.

"It wasn't easy when that happened but I have great support around me and I will now work to get myself 100 per cent right and jump back on the bike as soon as possible."

Rizla Suzuki team manager Paul Denning added: "The crash was nothing to do with his recent hand injury, it was just one of those things. He was lucky that he didn't break anything or cause more damage to the original injury.

"Unfortunately the bike ripped a sizeable piece of flesh from his right forearm, but Dr Costa and his team performed an operation to close and stabilise the wound and Loris will now start his recuperation to get himself fit again, for sure it will be Sachsenring in two weeks time."

The team confirmed that Ben Spies, who deputised for Capirossi at Donington Park and was at Assen in case Capirossi couldn't ride this morning, will not replace the Italian again this weekend, having already missed one full day of practice.