Japanese MotoGP, Motegi
Date: 2-3 October

Saturday 2 October: Qualifying, 0450-0800, BBC Red Button/online
Sunday 3 October: 125cc & Moto2, 0350-0600, BBC Red Button/online, MotoGP 0640-0800, BBC Two/online. MotoGP repeat, 2350-0110, BBC Two/online

Pedrosa crashes at Motegi

Dani Pedrosa has broken his collarbone after a crash in practice for Sunday's Japanese MotoGP, all but handing the world title to Jorge Lorenzo.

The 25-year-old Repsol Honda rider suffered a double fracture of his left collarbone six minutes into practice at Motegi, his team's home circuit.

He is flying home to Spain for surgery and is likely to miss three races.

With him being Lorenzo's only serious title rival, that means the Fiat Yamaha rider has almost won the title already.

"As he (Pedrosa) began braking for turn nine, he lost control and fell, with his left leg at first remaining under the bike as he slid into the gravel," said a team statement.

606: DEBATE Looks like that's it as far as the championship goes itsonlyagame

"The unlucky fall, just three laps into the session, was caused when a small problem with the throttle cable didn't allow Pedrosa to close the throttle when he came to brake, an issue which has already been investigated and resolved."

Pedrosa said he knew instantly that it was a serious injury, and he felt that he "did not deserve it."

"I tried to stop the bike as usual but I knew something was wrong and couldn't avoid going down," he said.

"After the crash I knew immediately that I was injured because it was very painful. I had a big impact in my left ankle and also my collarbone was broken as I hit the track - so obviously it feels very unlucky because recently we have had really good results."

MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena suggested that Pedrosa would definitely miss the next round of the championship, in Malaysia.

It had been feared Pedrosa had also suffered an ankle fracture but this was ruled out.

"We x-rayed the ankle as well and it is okay. He had old fractures but nothing new, just a small contusion," said Macchiagodena.

Lorenzo leads the championship race by 56 points, with five races remaining.

He has been by far the most consistent rider in the competition, failing to finish on the podium in just one race so far this season.

But he has also benefitted from a broken leg sidelining team-mate Valentino Rossi and ending his world title chances, and now Pedrosa's misfortune too.

Japanese MotoGP, free practice times:

1 V Rossi (It) Yamaha 1:48.174
2 A Dovizioso (It) Honda 1:48.387
3 J Lorenzo (Sp) Yamaha 1:48.474
4 C Stoner (Aus) Ducati 1:48.481
5 B Spies (US) Yamaha 1:49.302
6 H Aoyama (Jpn) Honda 1:49.357
7 C Edwards (US) Yamaha 1:49.377
8 H Barbera (Sp) Ducati 1:49.544
9 L Capirossi (Ita) Suzuki 1:49.568
10 M Simoncelli (Ita) Honda 1:49.581
11 M Melandri (Ita) Honda 1:49.620
12 A Bautista (Sp) Suzuki 1:49.644
13 N Hayden (US) Ducati 1:49.882
14 R de Puniet (Fr) Honda 1:49.957
15 A Espargaro (Sp) Ducati 1:50.158

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