Source: Supplied.

A gigantic highside in Friday’s second free practice has ruled Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa out of this weekend’s Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi.

Pedrosa suffered a right-collarbone fracture that will exclude him from the weekend, flying directly back to Spain this evening to undergo surgery.

The Repsol Honda rider will be replaced by HRC test rider Hiroshi Aoyama, who will wear the number 73 in his return to grand prix racing for this weekend.

“I’m obviously very sad about what happened, as I was looking forward to racing in Japan at Honda’s home circuit and one of my favourite tracks,” Pedrosa said.

“I was on the out-lap of my last run in FP2 when I momentarily lost the rear entering turn 11, and when the tyre found grip again it launched me in the air. There’s not much more to say.

“Now I just want to focus on recovering in order to get back on my bike as soon as possible. My best wishes to Hiro, who is replacing me and will race in front of his home crowd.”

Aoyama commented: “First of all, I’m very sorry for Dani and I wish him a fast recovery. This definitely is not the best way to come into a race, but anyway, I’ll try and give my best for Honda in front of my friends and fans.

“I won’t be able to use my racing number, as seven has already been taken by Mike Jones, so I’ll use 73, which is the number I used in my first season in the 250cc GPs.”