Spaniard Alvaro Bautista has been ruled out of this weekend's race at Qatar.

Rizla Suzuki’s Álvaro Bautista suffered a broken left femur from a fast crash in the closing stages of Friday’s third practice session in Qatar, which immediately ended his participation in this weekend’s first race.

Bautista landed heavily after high-siding at Turn 15 and immediately looked in some serious discomfort. He was instantly taken to the circuit’s superb medical facilities and examined by members of the Clinica Mobile.

After a thorough examination, and some X-Rays, he was diagnosed with a break to his left femur which will need to be pinned.

Bautista was immediately taken to the Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha for further tests, before a decision will be taken whether to operate in Qatar or for him to return to Spain.

Further information on Bautista’s condition will be updated as soon as more information is available.

Suzuki is running a single rider MotoGP team in 2011, earlier announcing American John Hopkins as the team’s back-up rider. Hopkins rode the bike last week for the first time in a series of PR activities.

It’s uncertain if Hopkins will be confirmed for the team in future races, however he did finish fourth in the series for Suzuki in 2007.

Hopkins is currently in the U.S. according to reports, so remains very unlikely to sub for this weekend at least.