German GP red-flagged after Hopkins highside.

The German Grand Prix has been red flagged on lap 6 of 30 after a nasty highside for Suzuki's John Hopkins, which left the already injured Anglo-American lying in the middle of the racetrack.

The race looked set to be a cracker with Hayden leading from pole and holding firm as a four man group of the American, Valentino Rossi, Alex Barros and Sete Gibernau broke away up front. That order will now decide the restarted grid, but will have no other impact on the final result.

Rossi, German MotoGP 2005
Rossi, German MotoGP 2005
© Gold and Goose

The German Grand Prix has been red flagged on lap 6 of 30 after a nasty highside for Suzuki's John Hopkins, which left the already injured Anglo-American lying in the middle of the racetrack.

The race looked set to be a cracker with Hayden leading from pole and holding firm as a four man group of the American, Valentino Rossi, Alex Barros and Sete Gibernau broke away up front. That order will now decide the restarted grid, but will have no other impact on the final result.

Marco Melandri was leading the second group of riders, the Italian being chased by Capirossi, Edwards, Biaggi, Nakano and Checa.

However, the red flags would be raised when 12th placed Hopkins was flicked violently over the top of his GSV-R before landing heavily in the middle of the track.

The 22-year-old already has a broken bone in his foot plus a multitude of chest and upper body injuries from his Friday highside and needed medical assistance to be removed from the circuit, hence the need to stop the race.

John was however fortunately conscious and would soon be back and smiling in the Suzuki pits. In theory, he could have taken part in the restart - which will run over 25 laps - although that would surely have been unadvisable and it was soon confirmed that John would sit it out.

Among those also not starting 'race two' are Shane Byrne, Olivier Jacque and Alex Hofmann - who all fell at turn one (the two Kawasakis colliding) - plus Troy Bayliss, who lowsided out on lap 3.

Results as of lap 5/New grid order:

1. Hayden
2. Rossi
3. Barros
4. Gibernau
5. Melandri
6. Capirossi
7. Edwards
8. Biaggi
9. Nakano
10. Checa
11. Roberts
12. Hopkins
13. Elias
14. Tamada
15. Rolfo
16. Xaus
17. Battaini

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