Capirossi withdraws from Australian GP

The Suzuki rider had initially appeared to have escape yesterday's violent accident unhurt, but a statement from the team said that "further investigations found a strain to the Adductor muscle at the top of his left thigh and the medical staff had no choice but to declare him unfit to ride.

"He has now returned to Europe to get further treatment on the injury and plans to be fit for the Portuguese Grand Prix in two weeks' time."

Capirossi's withdrawal means he is sitting out a race for the second time in four rounds, as he had also missed last month's Aragon event due to a hand injury sustained when he collided with Nicky Hayden on the opening lap at Misano. He had been set to start last today.

"I am so disappointed that I have had to withdraw from the race, I did not want to, but the doctors said that the strain would have made it difficult for me to hang on to the bike and control it for the whole race, so they had to declare me unfit," said Capirossi.

"It was been quite a miserable three races for me and now I need to get back home and make sure I am as fit as possible for the last two races. I still have a lot to do this season and I want to end the year as competitive as possible."

With Dani Pedrosa having already pulled out due to continued pain from the collarbone he broke at Motegi, the field for today's race is already down to just 15 bikes.