Motorcycling: Crash rules out Criville

Alex Criville will miss tomorrow's 500cc Dutch Grand Prix in Assen after he tore an artery in his hand during a crash in qualifying practice yesterday.

Criville, second in the world championship behind Honda team-mate Michael Doohan who took provisional pole after the session, was taken to hospital for plastic surgery to restore his thumb. The Spaniard lost control on a chicane, and slid over the tarmac with his arm trapped underneath the bike.

Criville was treated at the side of the track for 10 minutes before being taken away on a stretcher. He may also miss the forthcoming world endurance championship race at Suzuka.

Doohan, who has won five of the six races this season, clocked 2min 3.671sec.