Italian MotoGP rider Alex de Angelis remains in a critical condition in hospital in Japan, but is now alert and conscious and his injuries are considered stable. A statement from de Angelis’s Ioda team said he was still regarded as being in a critical condition “due to the numerous back fractures and internal injuries, and the pulmonary edema and intracranial one” but he was no longer sedated. He will have a further CT scan later this week to ensure there have been no changes to his head injury.

Ioda team owner Giampiero Sacchi and MotoGP physician Dr Michele Zasa have remained with de Angelis in the intensive care unit of Mibu City’s Dokkyo Hospital, and the rider’s family are also due to arrive there shortly. De Angelis sustained his injuries in a horrific crash on the exit of Turn 9 at Motegi during fourth practice for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday.