Worx Suzuki's Sylvain Guintoli will miss at least the next two rounds of the British Superbike Championship after this horrendous crash with HM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes on the out-lap for the first leg at Donington Park this afternoon when Brookes' brakes failed.
Guintoli has broken his right tibia and fibula, and will miss at least the next two rounds at Thurxton and Snetterton. He could also been in doubt for the Mallory Park meeting.
The crash happened as both riders went into Melbourne Loop  to form up on the grid. Brookes ended up in the gravel trap but got up and walked away.
"This has come as a terrible blow to us. Sylvain has been brilliant throughout testing and the early season races. He’s done a first class professional job, proving just how fast and how smooth he can be. He’s made such an impression – he’s quite probably the best rider I’ve ever worked with," said team boss Jack Valentine.

“We’re obviously upset, incidents like this shouldn’t happen anytime, but they're particularly hard to accept on sighting laps. However, we must now anticipate Sylvain’s recovery. We’re looking forward to his return, but by no means will we rush him back. It’s important that Sylvain only returns when he’s fully fit.

“In the meantime we will need to appoint a temporary replacement for him. We will need some time to consider our options and make an appointment – but in saying that, we will look to be making an announcement before Thruxton in a week’s time.”
BSB Race Director Stuart Higgs said: "Having interviewed Josh Brookes and team manager Havier Beltran, and after reviewing the incient with video, photographic and timing data, it is concluded that it was caused by a failure in the operation of the braking system of Brookes' machine, the exact cause of which is unknown."