
Sunday November 04, 2007
VALENCIA (AFP) - Former seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi may miss the Spanish Grand Prix after fracturing his hand in three places during a qualifying crash here on Saturday.
He was taken to a clinic linked to the Valencia circuit and said he was hopeful he could still make the start line for Sunday's Grand Prix, the last of the season.
A final decision on his participation will be taken on Sunday morning, his Yamaha team said in a statement.
"I'm OK but things were better before the crash," said Rossi. "I lost the back under acceleration in the first corner, 10 minutes before the end of the session.
"I tried to correct the bike but it was too late. I knew straight away that I'd fractured my hand. I also hurt my lower back but apparently there's nothing wrong there.

"I'll see tomorrow (Sunday) how it goes with the doctors. I've never missed a race in my 11-year career and I don't want that to happen tomorrow because I just need one point to ensure second place in the championship in case Dani Pedrosa wins."
If Rossi does make the grid he will start 17th and only needs to move up two places during the race to snatch the point he needs for second place overall.
Australian Casey Stoner has already sewn up the title.
The 125cc category has come down to the wire, though, with Hungarian Gabor Talmacsi and Spaniard Hector Faubel battling for that title.
Faubel has his work cut out as he must make up a 10-point difference and both riders are starting on the front row of the grid.

Free Practice nr 1

Free Practice nr 2

Free Practice nr 3

Practice Classification

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