The ope♑ning race of the inaugural FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship was red-flagged at Misano on Saturday due to a big ꦛaccident for Mia Rusthen.

The Norwegian was battling in 12t𒆙h place when she fell on entry to the final corner with just over 7 laps to go.

The exact circumstances of Rusthen’s accident are unclear, but rider and bike were seen tumbli🦩ng through the gravel trap at highspeed in the background of the TV images.

Red flags were quickly raised with Rusthen receiving medical treatment at the scene before being transported to hospital by helicopter for ‘further assessment and treatment’ after sustaining unsp🅠ecified ‘polytrauma’ injuries.

A further update from the organisers, issued on Saturday evening, stated: 

'The original race [was] red-flagged on lap six due to a serious incident for Mia Rusthen (Rusthen Racing) through Turn 16. 

'Norwegian Rusthen has suffered a head injury with concussion and is currently receiving treatment at the Bufalini Trauma Centre in Cesena. The patient’s condition has been stabilised.'

A separate statemen🦋t delivered an update on Jes🌠sica Howden who also crashed on Saturday.

"Jessica Howden is back in the paddock! The South African rider suffered a concussion following a crash in Saturday's Race 1. 

"However, the rider is in good spirits, and in the process of recovering from her injury."

Herrara beats Carrasco in restart

Maria Herrara had been𓆏 leading from Ana💙 Carrasco at the time of Rusthen’s accident.

A five-lap restart, delayed until the afternoon, was almost instantly halted by a fall for Jessica꧟ Howden at Turn 2 of the race. 

An ambul✱ance was required before a ‘rider conscious’ message was issued.

But the South African was later confirmed as 🍌suffering a concussion and transported to the same hospital as Rusthen.

The third start, also over five laps, saw another scare when Lena Kemmer tangled with a rival off the line and slid acrosᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚs into the pit wall.

Kemmer w🍒as apparently unharmed and the r﷽ace continued. 

Herrara then made history by holding off former Moto3 grand prix rival and WorldSSP300 champion Car꧋rasco fo🔯r victory after trading places on the final lap.

All riders in the new si🦹x-round championship use Yamaha R7 machines.