Aruba Ducati’s Chaz Davies will undergo a rest period and be re-examined before the Laguna Seca WorldSBK round after cracking the transverse process (sticky-out bit) of his L3 vertebrae in a crash today.

Davies was leading into the 13th turn of 16 on the last lap of the opening race but asked too much of his front Pirelli, going down and leaving Jonathan Rea with nowhere to go but right over the top of him.

The Welshman was diagnosed with a closed thoracic trauma at the circuit medical centre and was then transported by ambulance to Rimini to undergo a CAT scan, which showed the fracture. Further examinations also indicate a contusion of the left thumb.

“The end of today’s race leaves a bitter taste in our mouth. Chaz and Marco rode a memorable race, both showing they could win, but they crashed out during the last lap. Marco will have another go at it tomorrow, while we’re deeply saddened by what happened to Chaz. He will now observe a rest period, but he has a strong character and I’m sure he’ll tackle it with the same mettle he’s racing with,” said Ducati boss Ernesto Marinelli.