The only Suzuki rider on the MotoGP grid, Alvaro Bautista, has been ru🐟led out of this weekend's opening round in Qatar after breaking his femur in Friday night's final free practice session.

The young Spaniard, starting his second MotoGP season, suffered a big highside from h𒊎is GSV-R at turn 15, with nine of the 45-minutes remaining.

Bautista, who has been 🅰struggling with arm-pump after a fast fall in testing at Losail last Monday, was seen grasping his left thigh after the accident and had to be carried fr🌳om the track on a stretcher.

Bau🍒tista was 16th out of the 17 riders at the time of his fall.

Rizla Suzuki press officer Tim Walpole wrote on his Twitter page: "Alvaro has broken left femur. He is on his way to hosp𒊎ital. It needs a pin but he might return to Spain for that. More🍃 news later."

Further updates read:

"Just back from the hospital. 3.30am here. Alvaro 💫will have the operation sometime tomorrow in Doha. No idea yet on length of recovery.

"No news on any replacements either her🅰e or in future races, as soon as there is official news it will be o⛎n the Team's website."

Former Suzuki MotoGP star John Hopkins, who 🌞tested the GSV-R at Qatar last weekend, has previously been named as a reserve should such a scenario occur - but it looks unlikely that the American, due to race for Crescent Suzuki in BSB this year, can arrive in time for qualifying.

Hopkins finished third in his last ride for Suzuki at Valencia in 2007, then made an ill-fat﷽ed switch to Kawasaki. Hopper moved to Superbike racing after Team Green qui🍸t MotoGP at the end of 2008.

The first round of the 2011 BSB season is not until April 22-25, so - even if Qatar is not possible - Hopkins looks se🎀t to return to MotoGP for round two at Jerez from April 1-3.

With꧅out Suzuki, the MotoGP grid will be down to 16 riders and ju✃st three manufacturers.

Suzuki cut back to a singlꩲe-rider this season in order to save money following the global financial crises.