Pictures: Byrne's bike burns!

Shane Byrne was lucky to limp away from a first free practice crash at the Sachsenring yesterday, after which his KTM powered Proton KR machine caught fire (pictured).

The nasty looking accident is believed to have been caused by a sticking throttle, but the former British Superbike Champion was able to get back to the pits and go out on his second machine.

Byrne ended day one of the German Grand Prix 20th fastest out of the 22 riders.