No serious injuries after Bagnaia, Binder incident at 'crazy' Spanish MotoGP

• Brad Binder rode over Francesco Bagnaia's legs during the recent MotoGP race in Spain.
• Bagnaia fell off his bike, leaving Binder in an unavoidable situation.
• Binder is still fourth in the championship standings while Bagnaia leads it.
• For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.

The opening lap of the Catalan MotoGP race in Spain started with a bang as several riders went off the track at the opening corner.

But the biggest shock would come moments later when race leader and championship frontman, Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia high-sided on his bike and South African Brad Binder rode over his legs.

It looked gruesome, and the race was red-flagged for marshals to clear the carnage and medical personnel to tend to all the injured riders.

After the restart, Binder suffered a technical issue on his KTM, bringing his race to a premature end.

"I had a really good launch, but through the exit of Turn 2, I did not see a thing until I arrived to Pecco (Bagnaia) and his bike in the middle of the track," Binder said.

"I clipped something on his bike, went to miss him, and couldn't. I ended up falling. Thank goodness I saw him moving, so I hope he is fine."

No broken bones

The Ducati team released a statement on Italian Bagnaia's condition, confirming that nothing is broken.

"Despite the extent of the incident, the reigning world champion did not report any fractures, but only numerous bruises, as confirmed by the X-rays and CT scans performed at the Hospital General de Catalunya, where he was immediately transported after a first check-up at the circuit medical centre," the report read.

It is still being determined if Bagnaia will be fit to compete in this weekend's race in Misano, Italy (8-10 September).

READ | Espargaro wins Catalunya MotoGP after Bagnaia crashes, SA's Binder hampered by tyre issues

Bagnaia's teammate, Enea Bastianini, was involved in the Turn 1 mashup, but his fate was worse than his teammate's. 

"[Bastianini has] a fracture of the malleolus [on the left ankle] and a complex fracture of the second metacarpal of the left hand," the report continued.

"Both fractures have been immobilized to allow Bastianini to return to Italy immediately, where he will undergo surgery at the Modena Hospital."

Bagnaia leads the 2023 title race with 260 points, 50 clear of second place Jorge Martin of Ducati (210 points). Binder is fourth in the standings with 166 points.