Ben Spies out after crashing on way to grid

Ben Spies has been carried from the track on a stretcher after a nasty highside from his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 on his way to the grid at Estoril.

The Rookie of the Year will not start the race, for which he had qualified fifth on free practice times.

With no slick tyre laps possible due to rain on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, all riders are testing the limits on the sighting lap.