Kawasaki back de Puniet

Frenchman De Puniet, 26, was lying in 11th place and fighting with world champion Nicky Hayden when he high-sided out of the race at the final corner of the track, robbing the team of a potential top-ten finish on their first outing since a winter re-structure.

Team competitions manager Michael Bartholemy said: "We were under no illusions about how difficult this first race would be for us, but still, this is not exactly the start to the new season we were hoping for.

“Randy was going well right up until his crash, but he has to push so hard to put himself in contention that, sometimes, a crash is unavoidable.”

Moto GP returnee Olivier Jacque finished 12th on the second bike, but was running three places below de Puniet at the time of his countryman's fall.