Melandri injuries revealed after 200kph high-side.

Update: Fortuna Yamaha rider Marco Melandri suffered a huge crash in this morning's free practice at Suzuka, high-siding from his factory M1 on the exit of the fast right hander (turn 12), just after the hairpin, and being hit by his bike.

The session was immediately red-flagged and after initial treatment in the Suzuka circuit medical centre, Melandri was taken by helicopter to the Mie General Medical Centre near Yokkaichi.

There the full extent of his injuries were revealed: The 20 year old has a partial "chipped" fracture at the base of the right femur and a double fracture of the right ankle.

The 250cc World Champion underwent minor surgery on his ankle to close the wound and will remain in hospital under observation for 48 hours while the doctors assess if further surgery is required.

Team Director Davide Brivio was at the hospital with Melandri and on his return reported that the young rider had suffered a broken nose but fortunately no other head or internal injuries, as was originally feared.

Without further complications, Melandri should be able to return to Italy as planned on Monday. It is too early to say when the 2002 250cc World Champion will return to competitive action, but he's likely to be out of action for at least two months.

"Marco's injury is not as bad as we had initially thought," said Brivio. "The data shows he was travelling at just under 200 km/h when he high-sided and he was hit by the bike so it could have been a lot worse. He was so keen to start the Championship and ride in his first MotoGP race so it's a great shame."

"It's a real shame to see what happened to Marco - he's been doing a really good job until now," said team-mate Carlos Checa, who took a provisional front row start today. "I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he comes back with the same enthusiasm he's had so far."