JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam suffered a huge high-side during the first MCE British Superbike free practice session at Knockhill and has been taken to hospital for further assessment.

The current championship leader did receive a bang to the head in the incident, but was fortunately conscious at the trackside. If he did suffer any symptoms of concussion it would mean that under the concussion protocol he may not be able to ride for seven days. At the moment Haslam is having a scan on his neck, with further check ups scheduled for today.

On social media the ZX-10RR rider said, “Not the way I wanted to start this weekend. I am all good, just waiting for a scan on my neck.”

Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon is also in hospital this afternoon after suffering a nasty wound on his left arm, as he crashed between turns 8 and 9 in the first session. The Stockport rider will certainly not take part in the second free practice session this afternoon, but has said if all goes well with the medical staff he will be taking part in FP3 tomorrow morning. But Iddon has a deep cut /soft tissue injury over his elbow which will require a surgical procedure.

“I am alright, just a flesh wound. Off to the hospital for a quick clean up. I will be back out for FP3 all being well,” said Iddon on social media.

Be Wiser Ducati’s Glenn Irwin crashed his Panigale at turn 6, and brought out the red flags for a third time during FP1. The Northern Irishman will probably not take part in the rest of the weekend’s activities as he has a possible fracture/dislocation of his elbow and shoulder. An update confirmed that his shoulder and elbow dislocations have been put back in and hopefully he will be discharged from hospital soon.

The opening free practice outing was red-flagged a total of four times. The final incident involved RAF Reserves Kawasaki’s Jake Dixon, Team WD-40’s Tommy Bridewell and McAMS Yamaha’s Michael Laverty. All three were declared OK, and fell due to track contamination.