Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi will have to put in one of his trademark through-the-pack charges in tomorrow’s Phillip Island MotoGP after a qualifying crash left him langishing in 12th place.

The Doctor went wide at the Southern Loop, ran across the grass and was launched off the bike as it hit a gravel trap. Rossi injued his neck and missed the rest of qualfying by a matter of seconds. He went across the line for a final lap just after the chequered flag was waved.

“I was pushing a lot with the qualifying tyre but unfortunately I went too wide at turn two and I came onto the grass on the exit," said the Italian.

"I thought I could take the bike back onto the track but, as soon as I touched the muddy grass I lost control and I couldn’t stop it. Then I bumped my head and neck pretty hard when I landed in the gravel. It’s a pity that I will have to start from 12th tomorrow, because this afternoon, with my Bridgestone race tyres, I had a very good pace.

"Now Dr. Costa and the Clinica Mobile staff will work to put me in good shape again – I am having treatment on my neck and then I will go immediately back to the hotel to rest until tomorrow. Tomorrow I am sure I will feel a lot better; we have good tyres and a good set-up so I will try to ride a good race!”