MELBOURNE // The world champion Valentino Rossi will have intensive treatment on his neck after he crashed during qualifying for the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island today.
Rossi, who wrapped up his fifth MotoGP title and sixth premier class world championship last week in Japan, fell heavily on the gravel after riding off the course and on to the grass with about 15 minutes remaining in today's qualifying session.
Australia's Casey Stoner, the 2007 world champion and last year's winner at Phillip Island, qualified on pole.
"Unfortunately I went too wide at turn two and I came onto the grass on the exit," Rossi said after he qualified 12th for Sunday's race.
"I thought I could take the bike back on to the track but as soon as I touched the muddy grass I lost control and couldn't stop it.
"Then I bumped my head and neck pretty hard when I landed in the gravel... I will have treatment on my neck and then rest (and) tomorrow I am sure I will feel a lot better."
Rossi's Yamaha team said the 29-year-old had suffered slight whiplash and damage to his neck muscles.
He would receive "intensive physiotherapy" today and is expected to start tomorrow.
*Reuters
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
