Valencia MotoGP race red-flagged in heavy rain

The 2018 Valencia MotoGP race has been suspended midway through due to heavy rain with a number of riders falling in treacherous conditions.

After rain soaked the morning warm-up sessions, the weather eased off during the Moto3 and Moto2 races to see the track slowly begin to dry out.

But heavy rain returned just at the start of the MotoGP race in Valencia – but not enough to delay the initial race start – with the full 27-lap race starting without issue.

The weather worsened 10 laps into the race – which saw a number of riders crash out including Marc Marquez, Andrea Iannone and Maverick Vinales – before the race was officially red flagged as the front group of Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi and Alex Rins started Lap 16.

Dovizioso, who led over the line and put his arm up to call for the red flag, with all riders returning to the pits awaiting a restart.

The restart, which begins at 15:00 local time, will see a 14-lap race with the starting grid organised from position on Lap 13 of the initial race.

Only riders who returned on their bikes within the five-minute time limit are permitted to restart the race which includes Red Bull KTM’s Bradley Smith despite his crash just before the red flag.