Source: FIM.

Australian Casey Stoner has crashed out of the lead in the 2015 Suzuka 8 Hours, during his first stint in the iconic Japanese endurance event.

Stoner’s crash ends the Suzuka defence of MuSASHI RT HARC-PRO Honda, which led the race until the 29-year-old Aussie had a high-speed crash at turn 10.

The crash happened after what Stoner later announced was a stuck throttle, sustaining a broken right scapula and fractured left tibia in the impact as he cartwheeled through the safety barriers.

The opening hour of the race was led by Alex Lowes on the Yoshimura Suzuki, before Stoner stormed to the lead directly following the first pit stops as he took over from Takumi Takahashi on the factory Fireblade.

Stoner’s demise handed the lead to countryman Josh Hook on the TSR Honda, who was then involved in an entertaining battle at the front with Yamaha Factory Racing Team’s Bradley Smith.

Earlier, Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) rider Broc Parkes was forced out of the race during the first 20 minutes with a mechanical problem.