Fireball erupts after Superbikes crash

A motorcycle exploded into a fireball after a spectacular crash in which at least four competitors were forced to ride through the flames during a European Superbikes race.

The mayhem unfolded after Spanish rider Xavi Cardelus was thrown from his bike when he got the wobbles coming out of a sharp left bend during the CEV Moto2 event in Spain.

His Kalex bike bounced in the air with the impact separating the fuel tank from the chassis, which then exploded in the centre of the track after being struck by another rider.

What followed next could have been carnage as a giant fireball engulfed the track, giving a line of trailing riders no time to react.

Several riders were forced to blast straight through the flames, including Italy's Jacopa Cretaro and American Michael Aquino, before the race was suspended.

Cretaro and Aquino were treated at the Motorland Aragon track but escaped serious injury.

Spanish rider Ana Carrasco was also caught up in the fiery crash but was able to re-start the 10-lap, which was won by South African Steven Odendaal.