MotoGP rider airlifted to hospital after horror 120mph crash at Phillip Island – before returning to racing AGAIN in Sunday’s Grand Prix

MotoGP rider Marco Bezzecchi was taken to hospital on Saturday after being involved in a horrific accident during the Australian motorcycle Grand Prix at the Phillip Island Circuit.

The 25-year-old Italian, who races the VR46, appeared to cut off the rear wheel of Spanish rider Maverick Vinales’ bike.

The incident occurred in the first corner of the race track, with both riders being knocked off their mounts, which were traveling at approximately 190 km/h.

The riders skidded on the runway for about 100 meters before coming to a stop in a sandy drain.

Vinales, who races for Aprilla, was in good shape after the race but was treated for an elbow injury. Bezzecchi was reportedly taken to a hospital in Melbourne but is not believed to have suffered any serious injuries or fractures.

Vinales told MotoGP that he “felt very sore” after the incident.

Remarkably, both drivers raced on Sunday, with Viñales starting third on the grid while Bezzecchi started fourth.

The former would place eighth in the race, while Bezzecchi finished last, with Marc Márquez winning the Australian Grand Prix.

Bezzecchi’s last-place finish comes after he received a long lap penalty following his crash.

But Vinales was less than impressed with the Italian driver, claiming he should have braked before making contact.

“I’m fine, I was just a little scared that I hit the nerve and my hand was sleepy so I couldn’t feel it,” Vinales told TNT Sports.

‘I have some bruises. For sure when you hit at that speed you always feel pain, so tomorrow will be difficult.

A horrific accident occurred during the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday, with Marco Bezzecchi and Maverick Vinales

The riders, who were traveling at around 190 km/h, were thrown from their bikes

‘From my point of view I saw it again, I don’t know, I don’t think he even braked, he just hit me from behind.

He added: ‘I feel like maybe he wanted to overtake me again on the inside, the stewards will decide.

“But the problem is that if a steward steps in and says yes, maybe next time I won’t even break it either, so we’ll see.

‘I don’t know, after this episode, if nothing strong is done, I mean, by the stewards or by the championship, allowing us to just hit the brakes and hit everyone, then we’ll see.

‘I’m fine, this is racing and I agree to have contact, but there is contact and there is contact.

‘It’s a shame because I think we could have been 4th in the Sprint for sure, we were quick, we’ll try tomorrow.

‘We’ll see how I wake up because I’m very sore, but I think tomorrow we have a good opportunity.’

Although Vinales and Bezzecchi were the two main protagonists of the incident, a third driver was also affected.

Bezzecchi’s VR46 teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio was running just behind the pair and claimed he was hit by debris from the crash.

“Absolutely, I saw the accident, it was a scary moment – ​​believe me, it was a really scary moment,” he said.

They began to skid along the track and onto a sandy track before both drivers stopped.

Bezzecchi was taken by helicopter to hospital before returning to the race in Sunday’s Grand Prix

The Italian driver’s Bezzecchi racing suit was left in tatters after the accident

‘Because when you get there, you have to control your bike, and you see two bikes in front of you exploding – literally – it’s scary.

‘Also, because some pieces of their bikes hit me. I have a titanium plate in (my) racing suit completely destroyed; also on the helmet and screen. It was scary. Fortunately everyone seems to be ok, but it was difficult.