Reigning WorldSSP Champion Kenan Sofuoglu has been ruled out of the first two races after trying to ride at the Phillip Island WorldSBK test.

The Turk is suffering with a dislocated thumb and even after undergoing surgery, it is too painful for Sofuoglu to race in either Australia or Thailand.

“We made a decision that I am going back home and not racing at the first two rounds. Over these two days of testing I tried my best to be on the bike but, honestly, I can do one or two laps but after that the pain makes it impossible to ride. The problem is my right thumb, which is dislocated,” he said.

“It keeps moving and touching my other bones. We think the best way is to stop trying to race now, get surgery and to be ready for Motorland Aragon. I have spoken to a few doctors and all of them say to stop now and have a ligament operation to hopefully ready to race in Spain. We hope for this outcome but it is not sure. I am very disappointed that I cannot race here.”