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Italian MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi has returned home after his high-speed crash during practice at last weekend's Phillip Island race.

The Ducati works rider's motorcycle slipped from underneath him at one of the circuit's famously fast corner complexes on Saturday's free session.

The accident left Capirossi with bleeding around his right lung and despite being allowed to travel back to Italy he is not expected to make it to the Turkish Grand Prix later this month.

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"My return to Italy was perfectly organised by Ducati, and now I can't wait to remove the drainage tube, which is causing me a lot of bother, and begin the healing of the lung," explained Capirossi after he touched down in Europe.

The Italian went on to describe his crash in Australian as the worst of his career, but explained that he didn't immediately realise the extent of his injuries.

"Only when I arrived at the hospital and when they started to tube me up, did I realise how serious it was: it was really painful.

"Of course I don't know when I will return to racing; if it were that simple, I'd remove everything and leave for Turkey immediately but it's too early to make plans," he concluded.

The Italian's absence in Turkey will give Ducati/Bridgestone test rider Schini Itoh the opportunity to line up alongside team Carlos Checa, who dedicated his podium finish in Australia to his injured team mate. The race was won by Yamaha's Valentino Rossi.