Australian MotoGP 2015: seagull hit almost brings rider crashing down

VIDEO: Watch a leading rider come close to crashing after being smashed into by a flying seagull during the MotoGP at Phillip Island.

A SEAGULL caused more damage than any daring riding in the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island on the weekend.

The unfortunate bird didn’t survive a flying collision with the motorcycle of Italian ace Andrea Iannone but almost brought the rider down early in the race.

Iannone, who had made a fine start to take the lead, was forced to duck when the gull smashed into his bike causing a major dent in a faring.

He then rose out of his seat as he strived to control his machine at full throttle on a straight stretch of track.

A seagull is moments away from colliding with Ducati rider Andrea Iannone. Picture: AFP.

“The seagull waited for the kiss,” said Iannone after the race in which he finished on the podium in third place.

“It was difficult but it was better for him to fly up before I arrive because if he didn’t it would keep him near the front tyre.”

Riders following Iannone drove through a stream of feathers and the prone gull.

The seagull walks into the path of Andrea Iannone of Italy and the riders on the opening lap of the MotoGP. Picture: Getty Images.

Andrea Iannone of Italy ducks as a seagull smashes into his bike. Picture: AFP.

Andrea Iannone is froced out of his seat after the seagull hit. Picture: AFP.

The riders race through feathers and the dead seagull. Picture: AFP.

The incident caused a flurry on social media with a Facebook page soon launched to pay tribute to the seagull who was given the name “Doug”.

It is not the first time a seagull, which colonise the picturesque race circuit in flocks, has caused a hazard in the race.

Two years ago Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo was hit by a gull in practice with the bird getting itself stuck in the front fork of his bike.

Originally published as Australian MotoGP 2015: seagull hit almost brings rider crashing down