Rossi to have treatment on neck after crash

Italy's Valentino Rossi sports his new helmet with an Australian aboriginal design during the qualifying session in Phillip Island, Australia, ahead of the 2008 Australian MotoGP Rossi qualified 12th Show more

MELBOURNE // The world champion Valentino Rossi will have intensive treatment on his neck after he crashed during qualifying for the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island today. Rossi, who wrapped up his fifth MotoGP title and sixth premier class world championship last week in Japan, fell heavily on the gravel after riding off the course and on to the grass with about 15 minutes remaining in today's qualifying session.

Australia's Casey Stoner, the 2007 world champion and last year's winner at Phillip Island, qualified on pole. "Unfortunately I went too wide at turn two and I came onto the grass on the exit," Rossi said after he qualified 12th for Sunday's race. "I thought I could take the bike back on to the track but as soon as I touched the muddy grass I lost control and couldn't stop it. "Then I bumped my head and neck pretty hard when I landed in the gravel... I will have treatment on my neck and then rest (and) tomorrow I am sure I will feel a lot better."

Rossi's Yamaha team said the 29-year-old had suffered slight whiplash and damage to his neck muscles. He would receive "intensive physiotherapy" today and is expected to start tomorrow. *Reuters