Sandro Cortese suffered a fracture of his T7 vertebra in a fast crash at Turn 11 at Portimao, entering the barrier at high speed at the end of WorldSBK race one.

Taken to hospital in Faro by helicopter, the Outdo TPR Kawasaki rider was examined by local doctors and then underwent an operation to fix the adjacent vertebrae together, providing a strong bridge across the affected area.

He was deemed fortunate to escape with no neurological damage as it is understood the break is quite severe.

He also suffered four broken ribs, a suspected fissure fracture of the right tibia and a suspected broken right ankle.

With the approval of the medics he hopes to travel home to Germany in the coming days, but he has to be adjudged as stable enough for him to be moved before this is done.