The latest news bulletin concerning the state of Daijiro Kato could not be more� dramatic. The Japanese rider is in a deep coma, with a serious brain injury and a large haemorrage at the base of the skull. "In addition he has dislocated the first and second vertebrae and this means a general worsening of his prognosis, as these vertebrae , c1 and c2, are in the zone where the neuralgic centre for the body is found", explained doctor Claudio Costa, he also added that the stuation "Reduces the hope that the rider can survive and in any case if he comes out of the coma he would be paralitic from the nose down, without assisted breathing".

Kato crashed on the curve before the chicane on the fourth lap of the MotoGP race when he was seventh. As a consequence of the accident he lay still on the ground unconscious. He was quickly taken by helicopter to hospital with assisted breathing.

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The accident shocked all involved in racing. Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi went to the press conference after the MotoGP race most worried about the state of their companion. "Having won is important, but now, after what happened to Kato, nothing is important", Rossi said. Capirossi expressed his surprise: "I did not expect to get onto the podium with Ducati in our first race�.

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125 cc

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This was a terrible race from a Spanish point of view. Daniel Pedrosa had to make do with 7th place after a commanding performance during the first eight laps. Gear problems forced him off the track, but he made his way back on and fought his way back to 7th. Stefano Perugini came out the winner and Giansanti and Jenkner got the other podium places. Pablo Nieto was the best placed Spaniard (6th) while Hector Barbera, Emilio Alzamora and Jorge Lorenzo were all forced to abandon.�

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250 cc

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In 250 cc, the Italian Manueal Poggiali, 125 cc Champion two years ago, was the winner. He couldn�t have started his career in 250 cc any better. The script said that he�d have to fight for this victory with Toni Elias, but the Spaniard had so many problems with his bike that he was forced off the track and out of the race. Fonsi Nieto had to conform with 6th place. Alex Debon was 11th and the 250 cc debutant Joan Olive took his first points, finishing 13th.

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MotoGP

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Valentino Rossi won his first race as champion stylishly, coming in nearly six seconds ahead of second-placed Biaggi. This was Rossi�s third victory in a row on Japanese soil. Biaggi took second on his return for Honda and Capirossi�s never-say-die attitude gave his Ducati third place on the MotoGP podium. Sete Gibernau finished fourth but must have been disappointed after failing to capitalise on his strong start. The Catalan had problems with the bike�s clutch from the word go which hindered his progress. Capirossi showed his surprise at his placing: �I wasn�t expecting to get a podium place so soon with Ducati.�

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