Kennedy breaks ankle in testing crash

PTR Honda rider Jack Kennedy has suffered a broken ankle in pre-season testing at Philip Island just days before his World Supersport campaign was due to kick off.

The Irishman missed a gear at turn two, causing him to fall heavily, breaking the talus bone in his right ankle, which forced him to undergo surgery on Monday night in Melbourne.

Remarkably, however, the former British Supersport runner-up remains optimistic that he can still compete in the opening race of the season come Sunday, and is working with medical teams to attempt to be race fit.

“We’ve acted quickly and I’ve already had an operation on my ankle. I really want to race this weekend so I am not ruling it out, I am going to rest and do my best to see if I can get on track on Friday or Saturday. My CIA Insurance Honda is good and we could still score good points even injured.”

Kennedy was second fastest in the session he crashed in, and combined with a fourth place in the opening session of the day managed to remain inside the top ten overall, so a potential points scoring finish may not be off the table.

Team manager Simon Buckmaster concurred, adding: “Jack and the team are determined to do all they can to get him racing this weekend. He’s suffered a painful ankle injury but there is a chance he could race and we’ll take it if we can.

“Even missing a day he remains in the top 10 which shows what talent he has and how well he is gelling with the team.”