The long trip to Knockhill in Stockport ended in disappointment for Stockport’s Christian Iddon, as the TYCO BMW rider came off his bike during free practice for round four of the 2017 British Superbikes Championship.

Iddon was thrown from his bike after just five laps of the Fife track, sliding out of action with the resulting friction burn requiring cleaning under general anaesthetic, and with race day being less than 48 hours away, BSB rules meant that Christian was unable to take to the grid for the championship’s annual visit north of the border.

Following a visit to hospital back in Manchester for an operation to repair the wounds, Iddon now faces a fortnight of preparation for the next round at Snetterton in Norfolk.

“It really hurt, I’m not going to lie about that one,” he said.

“I feel I was all right to race, but with general anaesthetic it’s a 48-hour ban.

“So despite doing everything that I could there was just no way that they’d let me, and I understand that and respect it.

“I know why they do it but it’s disappointing as I’ve certainly raced with far worse than a grazed elbow.

“The BSB medical crew were absolutely second-to-none. I’m glad most of you will never have to use their services but you honestly wouldn’t believe the level of care we receive. I am hugely grateful to them all.”

The former Supermoto champion remains in fourth place in the overall championship standings, and is now looking forward: “The plan for me is to be ready for Snetterton. I’m in a cast at the moment, just to stop me from doing anything, just a precautionary thing.

“Nothing too major, just do everything we can to get the skin to heal as best as we can, it comes off on Tuesday.

The Snetterton round takes place on the venue’s ‘300’ layout and runs over the weekend of June 30 to July 2.