Alex Marquez has been taken to hospital after an accident at Catalunya Motorcycle Rider

Cyclist Alex Marquez suffered a broken neck and broken collarbone after a high-speed crash at the Catalunya MotoGP.

The race was red flagged twice after incidents before it was eventually won by Fabio Di Giannantonio in Barcelona.

The Italian Ducati rider was able to raise the flag in the third attempt from Joan Mir and Fermin Aldeguerre.

Two major accidents stopped the race, with Marquez having a terrible accident when he collided with the back of Pedro Acosta.

Acosta was leading the race on lap 12 of 24 when his bike suddenly lost power on the straight and the Spaniard desperately tried to warn the riders behind him.

However, second-placed Marquez did not have enough time to react, as he collided with the back of the KTM bike before he and his Ducati bike headed towards the wall and then went into the air.

Marquez was taken away in an ambulance and did not participate in the restart, with his team Gresini Racing saying he was conscious.

team later, external certain, external That Marquez suffered a “marginal fracture of the C7 vertebra” – the seventh and lowest vertebra in the neck and will require further medical evaluation.

He also suffers a “right clavicle fracture” – a fracture of the collarbone – which will be fixed with a plate and the racer will undergo surgery on Sunday.

“Everything is under control,” Marquez said in a post on social media., external “It’s time to go to the operating room tonight, but I couldn’t be in better hands.

“Thank you so much everyone for your concern and for the loving messages I receive.”

Di Giannatonio was wrecked in the crash but was able to resume play and win.

Former Moto2 champion Johann Zarco was also taken to hospital after crashing during the restart, which brought out the second red flag.

Zarco became tangled in his bike, the LCR Honda team later said, external He “suffered injuries to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and the medial meniscus,” while “he also suffered a small tear in the fibula in the ankle area.”

They added: “Zarco will remain under observation throughout the night and will travel to France on Monday to consult with specialists and evaluate the next steps in his recovery.”

“Today was not an easy day for everyone. I really hope Alex is okay,” Di Giannantonio said.

“We’ve been really lucky. We know our sport is great. We’re trying to put on an amazing show, but we’re also human and we’re at risk. So I really hope everyone is safe.”

Defending champion Marc Marquez – Alex’s brother – missed the race after suffering a broken foot in France last weekend.