Lowes, Barrier crashes halt second Laguna Seca race
The second World Superbike Championship race at Laguna Seca has been stopped twice due to serious accidents involving Alex Lowes and Sylvain Barrier.
Lowes's accident brought out the first red flag of the interrupted race, the youngster crashing after misjudging an attempted pass on Loris Baz at the Corkscrew and being flipped off the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki.
Barrelling through the steep gravel trap, Lowes was taken to the medical centre with a suspected aggravation of the ankle injury he sustained earlier in the season, though this remains to be confirmed.
With the race restarted to be run over just seven laps, the sprint was stopped again after just three laps when Barrier crashed heavily out of the final corner.
Getting caught up with the BMW as it came down, Barrier struck the pit barrier feet first and was left stricken on the circuit as medical teams came to his aid.
Tended to on the circuit for some time, Barrier was eventually stretchered off and taken to the medical centre, where it was later confirmed that he has suffered a fracture to the subtalar joint in his foot and heel.
Their accidents came after Chaz Davies was ruled out of the second race altogether following his fall in race one, the Welshman declared unfit after picking up a concussion.