San Maranese MotoGP star Alex De Angelis is still in a critical condition following his crash at the Motegi MotoGP round but he is talking to doctors and his sedation level has been reduced.

De Angelis came off in the final practice session ahead of qualifying on Saturday and was taken by helicopter to the Dokkyo Hospital in Mibu for further examination and treatment. He underwent a CT scan and has been diagnosed with lung contusion after preliminary analysis, further checks revealed several rib fractures. A spinal CT scan revealed fractures to the T7-T8-T9 vertebrae, a body fracture to L4 and trasversal process fractures to T2,4 and 8. Some intracranial bleeding was also revealed.

MotoGP bosses issued the following update this morning: “On Monday, De Angelis had a head and chest CT scan, which reassuringly showed that the intracranial hematoma he suffered was unchanged while the contusions to his lungs are slightly resolving. The rider remains in a critical condition but as his sedation was reduced, he was able to talk and oriented in time and space. He'll undergo a further head CT scan in the next 48 to 72 hours to ensure the intracranial hematoma is stable while the conditions of the lungs will need further evaluation.”