PHILLIP ISLAND, Australia -- Spain's newly-crowned 125cc world champion Daniel Pedrosa broke both ankles in a spectacular ending to his season at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday.

The teenager lost control of his Honda bike during a morning practice session at the Phillip Island circuit and slid into a wall of tires, taking the full impact with his feet.

Pedrosa was immediately taken to the Cowes hospital near the track for X-rays of his feet.

"The initial report indicated fractures on both the right ankle and left ankle and a broken left astragalus," a Honda team statement said.

The 18-year-old was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital for surgery and Honda said he would spend several days in the hospital before returning home to Barcelona.

Pedrosa's parents and younger brother had arrived in Australia on Thursday to celebrate his world title.

The rider tipped by MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi as one of the rising stars in the sport will miss now the final round of the season in Valencia on Nov. 2.

Pedrosa, who clinched the world title with two races to spare by winning last week's Malaysian Grand Prix, had told reporters on Thursday of his plans for switching to the 250cc class in 2004.

"Yes he has spoken of it (going to 250cc class) but we are not thinking about that at the moment," a Honda spokesman said.