Reynolds fit for Brands

British Superbike champion John Reynolds will race in the opening round of the championship despite breaking his leg in five places just over five weeks ago.

A normal person usually takes six weeks before they can even bear weight on a broken bone, but thanks to laser surgery and weeks in a hyperbaric chamber breathing pure oxygen Reynolds is race fit after just 39 days.

The Rizla Suzuki rider has already been out on his race bike at a test at Mallory Park on Wednesday and despite walking on crutches he was looking good.

Reynolds will also be helped at the race at Brands Hatch on Monday by a pair of Alpinestars boots that have been specially made to help support his healing leg.

“I completed 15-laps of Mallory Park today and I am pretty happy that I can ride at Brands Hatch this weekend,” said Reynolds. “I’m going to defend my title from the off and my rivals had better be ready.

“I have asked my team technicians to alter my right foot brake settings so I can move around the bike more easily, but apart from that I am ready. I am not at full fitness, but I want to ride and more importantly, race. See you all at Brands Hatch.”