Ukawa regrets 'Kato collision' claim.

Camel Pramac Pons rider Tohru Ukawa has today issued the following statement regarding his fellow countryman Daijiro Kato, following his tragic accident last Sunday in Japan.

The main point of Ukawa's note appears to be a partial retraction of remarks he made suggesting that Kato's accident was caused by a collision with another rider.

"It looked like he might have made contact with another rider. His bike just Jack-knifed and flipped into the air," Ukawa said on Monday.

The #11 doesn't say this isn't true, and reiterates that it appeared that way to him. However, Ukawa regrets his remarks nonetheless, even though he didn't name the other rider, as he can't be 100% sure of what happened and as such feels his remarks were 'imprudent'.

Ukawa is the only person near Kato at the time of his lap 3 disaster to have commented on what he thought happened.

HRC also released a statement today, saying the cause of the tragic incident remained a mystery - despite a Police Investigation, examination of the bike, interviews and camera footage.

The full statement from Ukawa can be seen below:

"Dear Press,

"As you all know, Kato had an accident in Suzuka. He is trying his best to stay alive, and to recover. I know you have many questions regarding the accident.

"I am very sorry but I do not feel comfortable making any comments on this topic at the moment, because the only thing I can do, and the most appropriate thing to do right now, is to pray he will regain consciousness without any complications.

"In Suzuka, I said that it looked like Kato and someone else had come into contact. I said this because it appeared to be so from my eyes. But I do not know for sure if they had actually come into contact. It was such an imprudent thing to say and I would like to apologise to everyone involved with this matter.

"Once again, I am very sorry...

"I hope you all understand,"

Tohru Ukawa.