MotoGP: Colin Edwards saves qualifying crash video

IT MAY not have been the most epic save in racing history, because Colin Edwards did remain vaguely astride his Tech 3 Yamaha, but the American rider’s escape from a certain crash in the MotoGP qualifying session was mightily impressive.

Pushing hard round a right-hand corner, he lost the front and slipped off the inside of the bike, his left leg waving in the air.

Nothing daunted, Edwards slammed his right knee and elbow onto the track, and managed not only to recover control but to get back on the seat without leaving the track. Ever the showman, he immediately gave the crowd a relieved wave.

"My Michelins were good – you can see how good the front is working,” he said after the session. “I pushed a bit too hard and lost the front, and it helped me get away with it.

“That’s my race bike. I didn’t want to crash it.

“It was quite a big moment – but I’m and old bastard. I’ve had lots of experience trying to save that stuff,” he added.