Capirossi dislocates shoulder, Japan in doubt

Loris Capirossi, who will retire from MotoGP at the end of this season, is in 'serious doubt' for the Japanese Grand Prix after dislocating his right shoulder at Aragon on Sunday.

Capirossi crashed after clipping the rear wheel of LCR Honda's Toni Elias, as the pair disputed last place on lap 15 of 23.

The 38-year-old Pramac Ducati rider missed two races after suffering the same injury, to the same shoulder, at Assen earlier this year.

"There's little to say. I crashed on my famous right shoulder and suffered another dislocation as a result," Capirossi said. "It hurts a lot, even with the pain-killer I received.

"After Misano, I wanted to try to at least finish the race, but instead things went like they did. At this point, my presence in Japan is in serious doubt, but I still hope to recover in time."

Elias was also brought down in the collision, which Pramac technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini hinted was caused by Elias braking harder than usual.

"Loris couldn't pass Toni Elias on the brakes, so he tried in a corner, but when the HRC rider slowed, perhaps more than he should have, Loris wasn't able to avoid him and collided," Sterlacchini said. "I'm sorry for them both, especially for our rider, who hit his painful shoulder."

The Japanese MotoGP will take place from September 30 - October 2. Capirossi is a former three-time winner of the event.