Josh Elliott, Ireland's Red Bull Rookie had his hopes for a good result in his 'home' GP dashed on Saturday when he had a massive crash in a very wet race on lap three.

Having endured a terrible qualifying day on Friday he had hoped for better fortune come the race, but it wasn't to be his weekend.

A fall in free practice and a poor running bike had meant he missed first qualifying. Continued carburation problems and a loose seat in final qualifying saw him scrape into sixteenth place for the race.

A visit to 'Clinica Mobile' and the famous Doctor Costa was required to treat a painfull back, but after some minor treatment, the doctor declared him fit to race.

Elliott, who had been fourth fastest until he crashed in free practice was extremely dissapointed, but was still hopeful of a better race.

In very wet conditions he got a dream start as he went down the inside of a bunch of riders on turn one, and passed another three down craner curves to emerge an amazing sixth on lap one. He continued to consolidate his position and was under no threat from the man behind when on lap three he had a huge 'high side' crash at the top of craner curves. He was thrown over the front and landed on the back of his head before tumbling and sliding a considerable distance.

Rushed off to the medical centre, it was tense times for his family and friends, but after a number of checks he emerged relatively unscathed. The doctor told his family that his AGV helmet had done it's job and effectively saved his life.

"This GP has been a disaster for me," said Elliott. "I was delighted to get such a good start and am gutted that I didn't get a good finish from a solid sixth place.

"I can't remember much about the crash as my head still hurts a bit, but I was told it was a big one".

Elliott hope to be fit to race at Assen Holland next Saturday, but has to be passed fit by the circuit doctor on arrival in Assen.

Hopefully things will get a little better for him there.