Crash puts Market Rasen racer Phil Crowe out for six weeks

Crowe was riding in the Bemsee Club races at Brands Hatch, using the track time as a test session to get the new bike set up for round two of the Thundersport GB Championship which takes place at Donington Park over the Easter weekend.

But all that is now on hold after the Market Rasen rider was sent to Darenth Valley hospital for surgery to repair the damage to his hand and wrist. Recovery is expected to take six weeks.

Crowe said: “I lost the front on a cold tyre on the first lap. The joys of freezing cold weather combined with a long run to grid from the bottom paddock and only one 50-second warm-up lap is not ideal!

“I lost the front at the first touch of the brakes at about 140mph and took a massive fall.

“I also got ran over and unfortunately took three or four other riders out with me, too.

“If all goes well I will be back in action in around six weeks and my plans for the North West 200 will not be affected.”

The North West 200 road races take place in Northern Ireland on May 14.