VIDEO: Casey Stoner breaks arm and leg as first race since 2012 ends in spectacular crash

It could have been so much worse

Casey Stoner is widely regarded as one of the best Moto GP riders of all time, but he must be thanking his lucky starts today after an incredible crash at Suzuka.

The Aussie was competing in a race for the first time since 2012 in the Suzuka 8 Hours when he smashed into a tyre barrier and managed to crawl away from the accident.

He had just taken over from his Honda team-mate before the end of the first hour and was leading the race when the accident occurred.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEq47ZeZwZM

Stoner was seriously hurt and explained the nature of his injuries and the cause of the accident in a tweet after the race

Well my #Suzuka8H ended spectacularly!Stuck Throttle = Broken Scapula + Fractured Tibia and a few more tweaks. Sucks! pic.twitter.com/aNtgwDGIzG

— Casey Stoner AM (@Official_CS27) July 26, 2015

A big thanks to my @alpinestars leathers boots and back protector, also @nolan_group Helmet, I would have been much worse off without them!

— Casey Stoner AM (@Official_CS27) July 26, 2015