The former five times MotoGP world champion, looking to conclude a disappointing season with a fifth win at the 18th and final round, was thrown from his Fiat Yamaha after it began bucking viciously when he ran wide on the exit of turn one.
Five-times world champion Valentino Rossi rode one of the races of his life to win Sunday's action packed Australian Grand Prix, the Italian superstar being forced to overcome a 'suprise' 10 second penalty in the process.