Tom Sykes suffers broken foot on final day of Kyalami test

Tom Sykes has broken his right foot and sustained tissue damage in his right shoulder after crashing at the end of the final day of testing in Kyalami on Friday.

The Yamaha Italia rider who had been suffering from a sickness and flu bug during the opening two days of the test had just started to get up to speed when the accident happened.

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MCN has learned that the 24 year old crashed at the end of the back straight, but it was caused by a suspected technical fault – not rider error. Data logging from the crash revealed that Sykes was in fourth gear travelling at 108mph when he was thrown from the bike, leaving him battered and bruised in addition to a broken Metatarsal in his foot and tissue damage in his shoulder.

Despite the set-back, Sykes is confident he will be back to full fitness in time for the next round of testing in just over four weeks in Portugal. Despite ending the test down in 12th spot, he remains satisfied with his times given the limited track time.

Speaking exclusively to MCN on Sunday afternoon, Sykes said: “I’m feeling a bit sore and the biggest problem at the moment is actually the swelling on my foot because it’s really ballooned. My shoulder is already starting to feel a bit better so I’ve just got to keep my foot elevated and take it easy for a few days.

“With reference to the test, it was obviously a bit difficult because I was ill and lost so much time, but I’m certainly not pressing the panic button. I did a 1m 41.5s lap on a race tyre and a really good time was 1m 40.7 so I’m about 0.7 off.

“I know there is a lot more to come with the bike and the set-up I had. The bike is fantastic to ride and I’ll be back to fitness and back on it in Portugal no problem.”