Pecco Bagnaia run over at MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix

Reigning MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia was transferred to a medical centre after being run over at the start of the Catalunya Grand Prix.

Bagnaia, 26, appeared to fall off his Ducati as he led the field into Turn 2 in Barcelona, and was hit by the following KTM of Brad Binder who was left with no time to avoid the Italian.

The 2023 MotoGP world champion was left stranded in the middle of the track after the collision, while Binder fell and was able to walk away from the crash after tumbling into the gravel trap on Turn 3.

MotoGP officials confirmed that Bagnaia was conscious following the accident, and had been transferred to the circuit’s medical centre for further assessment. He was treated trackside by medics before being loaded into an ambulance.

As Bagnaia was taken away, fans applauded the Ducati rider, while team manager Davide Tardozzi was pictured in the pits consoling Bagnaia’s fiancee Domizia Castagnini, who witnessed the accident on television monitors.

The incident, after which the race was immediately red flagged, was not the only major accident to occur at the start. Five Ducati riders crashed out at Turn One before Bagnaia fell, which involved his team-mate Enea Bastianini, VR46 Racing’s Davide Bezzecchi, Pramac’s Johann Zarco and both Gresini Racing riders Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio all crashing out.

Organisers also confirmed that all riders involved in the Turn One accident were conscious.

After the race was halted, race stewards confirmed a restart procedure would commence approximately 20 minutes after the crash with a new race distance of 23 laps.