Spanish rider Carlos Checa has been airlifted to a Melbourne hospital following a crash in the opening World Superbike race at Phillip Island.

The 40-year-old suffered a heavy knock to the head when his Ducati cannoned into Marco Melandri’s BMW with both riders going down and taking no further part in the race.

Former world champion Checa was conscious when taken from the track with his exit a bitter blow for the factory Ducati squad, which had already lost Ayrton Badovini with a broken ankle.