Gary Johnson, one of the stars of the 2008 Isle of Man TT, will be out of action for at least two weeks after breaking his collarbone in a crash.
The accident happened during the Skerries 100 races in Ireland on Saturday.
Uel Duncan Racing rider Johnson was one of the sensations of the TT this year.
In only his second year at the event he recorded four top six finishes, including a best of fourth in the Dainese Superbike TT. Johnson’s only retirement came in the Scottish Life International Superstock TT. That was a cruel blow as, after the opening lap, he was lying in second place and looking good for his first TT podium.
He also set a new personal fastest lap of the famous Mountain Circuit, with an average speed of 127.272mph around the 37¾ mile course. That speed means he is now the 10th fastest person ever on the TT circuit.
Johnson was showing the same form at Skerries, taking a podium finish in the Supersport 600cc race on his debut at the 2.92-mile circuit.
However, in the grand final he crashed heavily while riding the Superbike. He started well, slotting in behind Adrian Archibald.
As Johnson went to pass his rival at the chicane he ran wide and clipped the inside banking at a speed of around 130mph. He cart wheeled down the road and was lucky to avoid hitting anything before coming to a halt.
A spectator was injured during the accident.
Johnson said:
‘I got a great drive from the preceding corner to the chicane and managed to get alongside Adrian, but I got squeezed against the inside banking and the next thing I knew I was flying down the road.’
‘I knew straightaway that I’d broken my collarbone and my leg’s quite sore and swollen, but, luckily, there’s nothing broken there. It was a real shame to end the day like that and even more so when I heard a spectator had been injured so I’d just like to pass on my best wishes to all those concerned.’
He added:
‘The bike was handling the best it has done all year and I was feeling very confident, but I just ran out of room to make the pass and it was no one’s fault, just a racing incident.’
‘The circuit is very narrow and more like a motocross track in places, so it’s quite difficult to overtake, but I really enjoyed riding there and it had been a good meeting up until the accident.’
‘I’m not going to rush back and I want to make sure I’m 100% fit before racing again, but we’re looking at the Dundalk meeting in August to get some time in before the Ulster GP.’
‘I'll be able to get a few track days in before then so I’ll be up to speed when I do come back and getting fully fit is my immediate aim.’