What's the worst thing that can happen to you on a motorcycle? How about the fuel cap coming off and pouring petrol all over you and a hot engine? While you are on the fastest part of a GP track.
That's what happened to Colin Edwards in first free practice today at the Sachsenring.
As he braked from over 160mph (it's a slow track), fuel surged out of the filler and ignited. Colin did the only thing possible and jumped off. The Aprilia Cube barrel-rolled into the gravel trap in a ball of flame, trailing burning fuel. Colin got to his feet and wandered around in circles for a few moments, leathers visibly singed. He has minor but painful burns to his left wrist and inner thigh.
COLIN EDWARDS:
"I can only say that I must learn the track in the best way and I am improving lap by lap. But today I discovered that the barbecue is a terrible thing if you are in the wrong side! At the beginning of the session when I was riding with the new chassis on I saw some drops in the visor: I immediately thought at the rain and then the water cooling of a bike in front of me. But I felt something cold on my neck and after a few seconds a big heat. That was FIRE! I was completely wrapped by the flames and I decided to jump off quickly. I felt really scared but I hope this was the only one of my life!"
Bookmarks