Marco Simoncelli’s test ends early

Marco Simoncelli’s efforts to further his progress on the RC212V of the San Carlo Honda Gresini team were brought to a sudden end on Friday, when the Italian rider crashed on the final day of the second official MotoGP test at Sepang.

At 11.06am local time Simoncelli fell at turn seven having completed just two laps in the morning and was forced to terminate his test there and then. The 2008 250cc World Champion suffered a mild concussion following his contact with the asphalt, and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

“Thankfully I am okay now,” said Simoncelli in the afternoon. “I hit my head and didn’t remember where I was or what had happened. Afterwards I gradually started to recover and now I can remember the crash, although not every detail of it.”

“I had a CT scan and X-rays on my head and neck and everything is fine. I feel bad because it’s a wasted day, but after a crash I am happy to be back on my feet.”

The Italian added: “I seem to remember losing the front of the bike but I was still in control, but then I lost the back as well and I came off the bike.”

Despite the shock of the accident Simoncelli expects to be fully recovered and available for the next test in Qatar from March 18-19.