BSB Silverstone Test: Rory Skinner tops day one as Tarran Mackenzie suffers suspected left ankle fracture

Rory Skinner was the fastest rider overall on the opening day of the official Bennetts British Superbike Championship test at Silverstone, but reigning champion Tarran Mackenzie was taken to hospital following a huge crash on the exit of the final corner.

Mackenzie has suffered a suspected fractured left ankle and has been transferred to hospital for further checks. CCTV footage suggests that Mackenzie was off-line coming out of the final turn. Both he and his R1 were sent rolling through the gravel and onto the grass, with the bike going airborne and hitting the barrier.

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Mackenzie is still recovering from the shoulder and ankle injuries he sustained whilst training in Spain in January. More updates will be released by the team once they’re available.

On the circuit, Skinner was quickest overall for FS-3 Racing Kawasaki. His best lap-time of 53.730s was enough to pip Bradley Ray to top spot by 0.069s. Dan Linfoot completed the top three, whilst Tommy Bridewell and Kyle Ryde completed the top five on the opening day of action.

Josh Owens was sixth ahead of Danny Buchan and Leon Haslam, whilst Ryan Vickers and Josh Brookes completed the top 10. Vickers suffered a crash in the final few minutes of the day.

Peter Hickman, who had a highside in session three, and Jason O’Halloran were 11th and 12th respectively, ahead of Buildbase Suzuki’s Christian Iddon and Ryo Mizuno. MCE Ducati’s Tom Sykes was 18th, with the 2013 WSB champion crashing at Luffield towards the end of the final session.

The BSB riders have three more sessions tomorrow; 10:30-11:30, 13:30-14:30, and 16:05-17:00.