Capirossi also out of Australian MotoGP

Any rider that finishes Sunday's Australian MotoGP round is guaranteed at least a point after Loris Capirossi joined Dani Pedrosa in withdrawing from the race.

Capirossi, already limping after hurting his foot last weekend at Sepang, crashed heavily from his Rizla Suzuki in qualifying at Phillip Island, causing a strain to the Adductor muscle at the top of his left thigh.

Medical staff had no choice but to declare him unfit to ride and he has now returned to Europe to get further treatment on the injury and plans to be fit for the Portuguese Grand Prix in two-weeks' time.

The Italian was due to start 17th and last.

"I am so disappointed that I have had to withdraw from the race, I did not want to, but the doctors said that the strain would have made it difficult for me to hang on to the bike and control it for the whole race, so they had to declare me unfit," said Capirossi, who missed September's Aragon round due to a finger injury.

"It was been quite a miserable three races for me and now I need to get back home and make sure I am as fit as possible for the last two races. I still have a lot to do this season and I want to end the year as competitive as possible."

Pedrosa had earlier withdrawn due to a lack of strength in the collarbone he broke on October 1. Therefore, only 15 riders will start the MotoGP race.