Ducati's Nicky Hayden has been given the all-clear by doctors after a nasty-looking crash in the opening laps of today's Motorland Aragon MotoGP race.

The 2006 world champion had just passed team-mate Valentino Rossi and Britain's Jonathan Rea but then ran straight on and found that, as he headed for the barrier, his rear brake wasn't working properly. He jumped off the bike just before impact but went head first over the wall.

“I spun the tyre a lot on the start but was able to get past Rossi and Johnny Rea. The rear brake wasn’t working great from about halfway around the lap, maybe because I overheated it. I was trying to keep the group in front of me in sight, but I pushed the front in the last turn," said Hayden, who was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

"I was able to pick it up, but I came up on that wall really fast. I thought I might hit it headfirst if I jumped off, so I let go right before impact. I’m sorry to tear up the bike, but I’m thankful for great safety equipment and to be okay.”