Today's MotoGP race has been cancelled after Marco Simoncelli was taken to the Sepang circuit medical centre in a critical condition following a nasty accident on the second lap.

Race director Paul Butler brought out the red-flags as the Italian and Monster Yamaha's Colin Edwards were attended to by trackside doctors. As Simoncelli went down, his RC212V gripped and speared across the track into the path of Edwards who had nowhere to go. Initally, Simoncelli was laid in the middle of the track after his helmet had been ripped off in the accident but he arrived at the medical centre conscious.

Because the medical centre is giving its full focus to Simoncelli, it is not safe to run the race with no more cover if there is another accident and riders are injured. Edwards has suffered a dislocated shoulder and could well be ruled out of the Valencia round.