Locatelli in intensive care after Jerez crash

Roberto Locatelli is being treated for serious injuries at a Cadiz hospital after a major crash on Saturday.

The 250cc riders' Gran Premio bwin.com de España second free practice session was red flagged after Locatelli violently collided with the tyre barrier at the corner approaching the Jerez paddock this morning and sustained numerous injuries to his face and elsewhere on his body.

He has broken several face bones including his nose, mandible, jaw and cheekbone, though fortunately initial tests ruled out brain damage.

The Italian rider also suffered a left collarbone re-fracture and a punctured lung on his left side, although these injuries are expected to heal within a few weeks.

Of greater concern is the open fracture and dislocation of Locatelli's left ankle, which may not heal completely.

The 32 year-old remains in a serious condition, and has been placed in a pharmacologically-induced coma at the Intensive Care unit of the Cadiz hospital.

It is hoped that the Metis Gilera rider will return to Italy next week, accompanied by Clinica Mobile anaesthetist Romano Guerra who has been at his side since the crash occurred at around midday Spanish time.