British Supersport: Injury forces Reid to withdraw from Knockhill

The 21-year-old, from Jordanstown, fractured a bone in his heel after a crash at Snetterton and had undergone laser treatment and physio in a bid to boost his prospects of competing at Knockhill.

The Team Traction Control Yamaha rider did venture out in free practice on Friday, setting the eighth fastest time as he finished only 0.7 seconds off the pole time despite his fitness concerns.

However, Reid was finding it difficult to ride at his maximum level and after consulting his team, decided to sit out the two British Supersport races with the aim of concentrating on returning stronger at the next round at Brands Hatch.

“I was disappointed, but we have to look at the bigger picture. I did Friday’s free practice and we weren’t too far off the pole position time. I was faster than my team-mate in one of the sessions but I knew myself I was losing so much time through not being 100 per-cent fit, especially in the change of directions and in being aggressive on the brakes and turning in.

“Qualifying came around and it was pouring with rain and there was thunder and lighting and all sorts. It was a joint decision between the team and myself and we weighed up the options and the risks and came to the conclusion that it wasn’t worth the risk. If someone had come off behind me and took me out then I could have ended up shattering my heel and being out for six months, whereas at the moment it’s only a small fracture.

“I think it was a wise decision to hold off for two weeks and be able to go into the next round probably at 90 per-cent fit. I feel that another two weeks will make a big difference in terms of how I feel on the bike.”

Round six of the championship takes place at Brands Hatch from July 18-19.

Championship positions (after five rounds): 1 Glenn Irwin 172 pts; 2 Kyle Ryde 171; 3 Luke Stapleford 169; 4 Jake Dixon 130; 5 Joe Collier 83; 6 Danny Webb 74; 7 James Rispoli 74; 8 Andrew Reid 67.