2003 650cc world champion Joel Smets was hospitalised today after a fall at the Mantova pre-season international race, in Italy.

During a one-lap shootout the Belgian fell heavily from his four-stroke Suzuki an🌜d received a blow to ▨the chest in the ensuing tangle.

He was taken to the local medical centre where he underwent a scan on his stomach and an X-ray to the chest; fortunately both revealed no signs of damage. The 34-year-old is however being kept overnight for observation.

Until 🅰the accident it had been a very positive debut meeting for Smets and the Belgian based Suzuki team.

The Belgian had claimed victory in a qualification heat ahead of arch-rival Stefan Eveꦏrts on Saturday afternoon, and was only four hundredths of a second slower than the Yamaha man in the 'Super-pole' one lap showdown.

Smets' junior team-mate Kevin Strijbos was also victorious dur🗹ing the qualification races onboard the new RM-Z 450.