Yamaha rider Lorenzo was just squeezing the throttle through Turn 2 at relatively slow speed when his bike suddenly gripped up and high-sided massively – hurling him high into the air and slamming him down on his back in ugly fashion.

After the crash, the Spaniard lay flat-out on the ground and clutched his left leg before getting to his feet.

He then stumbled over, and rolled on to a stretcher. After he regained his senses, he was back on his feet and talking to marshals – but arrived at the medical centre clearly limping and also concerned about his left arm.

Paddock sources have also suggested that Lorenzo appeared to be in a confused state following the crash, but had suffered no fractured bones.

He was then taken in a wheelchair, shrouded with sheets by medical staff, to a helicopter for further tests in hospital.

The procedure follows that set by Eugene Laverty, who was similarly airlifted following his big high-side in FP2.

Lorenzo is on the way back to the track, as reported by Yamaha, who have declared he will take part in qualifying.