DFX Ducati's Regis Laconi has been placed in a pharmacological coma in South Africa after heavily crashing in the inital minutes of World Superbike free practice this morning.

Despite not hitting anything, the Frenchman suffered a severe trauma to the cervical vertebrae. Transported by helicopter to the nearby Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, Laconi is reported as being on the danger list.

The serious injuries suffered mean that an operation will be required, which will be carried out by a neurological specialist in the next few hours.