MV Agusta's Raffaele de Rosa has been punished for causing the WorldSSP crash that left Jules Cluzel in hospital with a broken leg.
De Rosa tried to pass the Frenchman on the brakes into turn one but misjudged it, collided and they both slid into the gravel with Cluzel grabbing his leg before he had stopped moving.
The GMT94 Yamaha man was diagnosed with left tibia and fibula fractures. “I honestly feel good. Pierre Metais, my surgeon, assured me of a quick recovery. Christophe stayed with me yesterday and is waiting with me for my departure to France," he said.
"Thank you to him, I sincerely appreciate it. This accident is a real shame because I felt I was in a position to win for the first time this season… I will do everything I can to be back on my Yamaha before the end of the season.”
De Rosa apologies for the incident: “I’m really disappointed with what happened on lap four and the crash involving Cluzel. Jules is a fair friend and opponent and I'm really sorry he got injured. I hope he can be back on track soon.
"I was lying second and felt comfortable on the bike. Unfortunately, as I was braking into Turn 1, the French rider and I touched, and both fell. I’m really sorry for my team as they’ve worked so hard all weekend. I’ll try to make up for things next time out in Barcelona.”
De Rosa will start the first Barcelona race from pitlane.
