MotoGP champ Marc Marquez OK after crash

Two-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez was airlifted to hospital but escaped serious injuries while crashing in practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.

Honda said its rider "is ready to get back in action" in the final practice session ahead of qualifying later on Saturday.

After clocking the third-fastest lap time until then, the championship leader went down on turn three and just avoided taking out Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa.

Marquez was transported by helicopter to a hospital to have his left shoulder checked.

"Medical examinations made at Leoben Hospital excluded further problems," Honda said.

The 2013 and 2014 champion Marquez leads two Yamaha riders in the world championship standings. He's 48 points clear of Jorge Lorenzo and 59 ahead of Valentino Rossi.