Espargaro cleared to race in USA

The Pramac Ducati rider was one of those who hit Randy de Puniet's crashed LCR Honda in the race-stopping accident in Germany. Although the initial diagnosis was that he had escaped with bruising, subsequent hospital checks revealed the possibility of damage to Espargaro's back.

However he has now learned that there were no new fractures so is free to compete alongside team-mate Mika Kallio at Laguna Seca this weekend.

"Luckily I have not broken anything in the fall," said Espargaro. "I had a little fear when I was in Chemnitz hospital because the doctors had no common opinion on the diagnosis.

"After the x-ray, some said that my C7 vertebra was broken and that I had to rest for two weeks. Others argued that what they saw was an old fracture and that I would still have no problem to ride my bike next weekend.

"Fortunately, the final diagnosis was that I haven't got fractures during the fall."