MotoGP: Valentino Rossi 'lucky' to avoid serious injury after 'terrifying' crash
Valentino Rossi has spoken of how he felt "terrified" after his lucky escape in narrowly avoiding a serious crash during the MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix.
The race was red-flagged early on at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg when when Franco Morbidelli's Yamaha collided with the Avintia Ducati of Johann Zarco.
The drivers were sent hurtling onto the gravel but fortunately avoided injury. However, their bikes continued to tumble across the circuit towards Rossi, 41, and his team-mate Maverick Vinales, who were about to make a turn.
Somehow, the somersaulting bikes flew past the pair by a matter of inches, meaning Rossi and Vinales escaped unhurt. However, the former was visibly affected by the incident when he later returned to the garage.
Speaking after the race, seven-time premier class champion Rossi said: "It was so scary, it was terrifying. For me, now everybody is very aggressive but also from the small classes.
"I was with Maverick when we entered turn three and I felt something coming towards me. I thought it was the shadow of the helicopter because sometimes it crosses the race track.
"But then Franco's bike passed me at an incredible speed and also the bike of Zarco jumped over Maverick. We were very lucky, but we hope this type of incident is a lesson for riders to improve their behaviour in the future.
"You need to respect the other riders that are on track with you. We can't forget this sport is very dangerous, especially in a track where you have long straights and you're always going 300km/hr."
