Suzuki considers Roberts replacement.

The first turn pile-up at Motegi proved particularly costly for Team Suzuki, with riders Kenny Roberts and John Hopkins each sustaining considerable injuries - which have already ruled Roberts out of the Qatar Grand Prix.

It was initially thought that Hopkins was the most badly injured - the 21-year-old having sustained two broken ribs and a deep laceration after being thrown viciously from his GSV-R following contact from Loris Capirossi - but when the dust settled, revealing four further riders on the ground, it would be team-mate Roberts who was worse off.

The 2000 World Champion dislocated his left elbow after getting his arm caught in Max Biaggi's rear wheel in the mayhem that followed the initial Capirossi/Hopkins contact. Kenny then suffered burns to his neck and right arm when he was pulled onto the Roman's exhaust pipe.

As a result, Roberts (top pic) will definitely be out of the Qatar Grand Prix on October 2, while Hopkins hopes to be fit enough to start.

"What a weekend. We had excellent results in qualifying and both guys got a great start. Then they both suffered very painful injuries, though it could be worse," said Suzuki team manager Garry Taylor.

"Kenny was lucky that Dr Costa and his team were on hand to relocate his elbow straight away. He is certainly out of Qatar (and) we will have to wait and see about John," added Taylor, before naming possible replacements: "If we decide to replace Kenny, either test-team rider Gregorio Lavilla or factory tester Kosuke Akioshi would be candidates."

Taylor concluded by revealing that Roberts and Hopkins weren't the only Suzuki team members to sustain injuries at Motegi: "Today's injuries came after I sustained a fracture in the foot last night, slipping in the shower... As I said what a weekend."

Capirossi, the third rider injured in the accident, sustained two broken bones in his foot and a slight concussion.