Ben Spies' return to the MotoGP World Championship has lasted one day as a crash in the first free practice session of the day at Indianapolis has resulted in a separated left shoulder and he has been forced to withdraw.

The Texan, who hadn't ridden in anger since the Mugello round some months ago, was spat over the highside of his Ignite Ducati at turn four and landed awkardly. An X-ray at the circuit medical centre revealed an acromioclavicular joint injury, the separation of the collarbone from the left shoulder blade.

Spies injured his right shoulder in a crash at Malaysia at the end of last year and it has taken this long for him to get back to some sort of fitness.