Barbera withdrawn from Japanese race with back fractures

Two fractures to his back in a nasty Saturday morning fall mean that Hector Barbera will play no further part in proceedings at Motegi, with a return to competition not scheduled for the Spaniard until his season-closing home race at Valencia.

Although he had done enough for a third row start in the opening 250cc qualifying session, the extent of his injuries ensured that Barbera will not be in action at the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan. The Team Toth Aprilia rider picked up fractures to his fourth and fifth thoracic vertebra, and has been withdrawn from the next three Grands Prix as a precaution.

Barbera did not emerge for the second qualifying run, having been kept in the medical centre for observation, and will extend his stay in Japan for at least a week in order to recuperate.

His twelfth spot on the grid will be taken by Lukas Pesek, with all trailing riders moving up by one place.