Horror as MotoGP stars caught in fireball crash

The motorsport world has watched on in terror as two riders crashed in a fiery inferno forcing an immediate stop to the MotoGP.

A track marshal tries to extinguish a motorbike on fire following.

Italian rider Lorenzo Savadorihas been flown to hospital in a helicopter after a horror fireball crash at the MotoGP on Monday morning.

The Grand Prix of Styria was red flagged after the collision involving Dani Pedrosa and Savadori.

It led to a flame-up and Pedrosa stumbled from the crash site while Savadori, initially on his feet, was taken away on a stretcher.

He was later seen sitting up as medical crew attended to him, before he was flown to a neaby hospital. Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia led at the time of the crash, while teammate Jack Miller had gone from fourth to tenth.

Motorbikes are on fire following a crash involving Aprilia Italian rider Lorenzo Savadori and KTM Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa.

A motorbike is seen on fire after the riders escaped.

According to The Sun, the tenth race of the 2021 MotoGP season was restarted as 27-lap sprint to the finish, one lap less than the original schedule.

The race had been halted after the spectacular third-lap crash. Television footage showed Pedrosa crashing first and then Savadori riding his Aprilia into the downed KTM.

The bikes came to rest in the middle of the track and caught fire. Pedrosa, returning to MotoGP after two years as a test rider.

Burning fuel spread across the track before marshalls put out the blaze. They then had to scrub away the debris and extinguisher fluid and blow-dry the track before the race restarted.

Track marshals try to extinguish the fire.

Pedrosa was fit to ride in the second race on a back-up bike and finished 10th.

Rookie Jorge Martin of Ducati-Pramac actually won the race, cruising to his first MotoGP victory finishing comfortably ahead of Spanish compatriot and reigning champion Joan Mir on a Suzuki.

French championship leader Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha was third.

News of the horror crash comes just two weeks after 14-year-old Hugo Millan died after a tragic accident at MotorLand Aragon.

The motorbikes of Aprilia Italian rider Lorenzo Savadori and KTM Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa.

Both riders were able to walk away.

The Moto3 teenager was competing in the European Talent Cup when he fell off his motorbike 13 laps from the finish.

He was subsequently accidentally run over by another rider, with the red flag immediately waved.

Millan received emergency treatment on the track, before being airlifted by helicopter to Zaragoza Hospital.

But medics were unable to save him as he passed away - sending the sporting world into mourning.

His team Cradle of Champions led the tributes.

They wrote: “We deeply regret to communicate that Hugo Millan has left us.

“We will always remember you for your smile, your big heart and your professionalism. Rest in peace, Hugo.

“You will always be in our hearts and we will remember you like this, smiling, as always. We love you.”

— with The Sun

Originally published as Horror as MotoGP stars caught in fireball crash