World Superbike champion James Toseland escaped with just bruises after a crash on the final day of pre-season testing. The British rider came off his bike at the Losail circuit in Qatar ahead of the start of the season next weekend.
His problems were compounded as he and team-mate Regis Laconi were outshone by Alstare Suzuki's Yukio Kagayama and Troy Corser.
Laconi was fourth fastest and Toseland, later given the all-clear by doctors, ended up 10th on the timesheets.
It was also a bad day for the Foggy Petronas team of four-times world champion Carl Fogarty as Steve Martin and Garry McCoy were both outside the top 10.
Toseland had just set a quick lap early in the afternoon session when he was catapulted into the air going through a fast right turn.
He landed heavily but escaped with only bruising.
"I was going into the second of the three successive fast right-handers and the rear let go," explained Toseland.
"I just looped over and landed on my side. I've never been up that high before.
"Everything's okay, I just need a couple of days rest, that's all and then I'll be back.
"It's a pity really, because the bike felt a lot better this afternoon and it was unlucky to cancel out the progress we had made."
MMIX
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