World champion Rossi taken to hospital after free practice crash

World champion and runaway championship leader Valentino Rossi was taken to hospital on Friday after crashing in free practice for Sunday's MotoGP British Grand Prix race at Donington Park.

The London-based Italian suffered concussion, fractured his right thumb and bruised his hip.

His Japanese Honda team mate Tohuru Ukawa, the only rider to beat the 23-year-old this season when he won the South African Grand Prix in April, was also taken to hospital after crashing in a separate incident.

Ukawa suffered abdominal bruising, a broken bone in his right foot and a fracture to part of his vertebrae.

Both riders are to undergo a medical check on Saturday morning to see whether they can race on Sunday.

Brazil's Alex Barros took advantage of their absence in qualifying to set the fastest time.

Rossi has won six of the seven races held so far this season.