Pramac Ducati's Hector Barbera is likely to miss at least two MotoGP races after breaking his left leg in a training accident.
The 26-year-old Spaniard has already undergone surgery on the injury, with doctors predicting a four-to-six week recovery period prior to his next competitive outing.
Barbera moved to Pramac this season following two-years on Aspar Ducatis, and surprised onlookers by qualifying on the front-row for the latest round in Mugello.
“Obviously I'm disappointed about the incident,” he said in a statement.
“It happened in the worst period possible. I had a great feeling both with my bike and with my crew. In the last three races I was able to enjoy riding and was fighting with the factory riders to achieve the best result possible.
“I could have had other brilliant results in the next rounds in Laguna Seca and Indy, but it's life and now I have to think only about my injury and my rehabilitation.”
Barbera currently sits 11th in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship standings with a best race result of seventh.
The season continues this weekend with the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. A three-week gap will then precede the Indianapolis Grand Prix, followed by the Czech Grand Prix scheduled just seven days later.