The highs and lows of motorcycle racing was proven on Tuesday at the Wakefield Park test ahead of the second round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship, when DPH Motorsport’s Luke Mitchell came a gutser in the fifth session.
Mitchell explained that the day was going well, as every change he and his team made they were going forward which resulted Mitchell feeling better on his #96 Yamaha YZF-R6.
“It’s probably one of the first days I have ridden all day without having any muscle pains afterwards,” Mitchell told AMCN.
However after posting a 1min01.5 lap time in the fourth session, the water pump failed in the next twenty minute session which resulted in water ending up on the rear tyre causing Mitchell to high side on the exit of turn seven.
“Four corners before crashing the bike tried to spit me off. I thought then something was wrong. I was just coming down into turn seven and came out and opened the throttle, like I did every lap before then got spat over the high side,” said Mitchell who finished ninth overall at the opening round of the ASBK championship at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
After seeing a doctor on Tuesday evening in Goulburn, the verdict then was a crack in the left radius bone of his wrist, but will be 100% confirmed later today, after visiting his local doctor today. But of course, each doctor has their different opinion on how long and what should be done.
One of the doctors told Mitchell he should have it fully broken and repositioned and another one has said just let it heal, while another one has said to put in a cast.
“All I know at the moment it definitely hurts and it’s swollen. However it only hurts when I move my fingers.”
Racing at round two next weekend is not ruled out of the question, as Mitchell is still hopeful that he will be able to line up on the grid and go racing on the 2.2km rural circuit. In saying that, Mitchell admits that he not that confident at making the start line, but will be back for round three of the championship, which will take place at Winton Motor Raceway at the end of April.
Mitchell’s best lap time was a 1min01.5 in the fourth session on Tuesday, before drama struck in the next session
While Mitchell maybe down, but not out, his confidence still remains the same as he knows that crash was not his fault by any means.
“The crash wasn’t my mistake that made me crash which is good to know, from my point of view,” explained Mitchell.
“It wasn’t like I was riding beyond the limit of the tyres or anything. It was a bit water coming out of the water pump which got onto the rear wheel which caused me to crash.
It’s not my mistake, so my confidence in my riding is still right up there in regards to what I can do. I’ll just focus on healing up and get back out on track,” concluded the twenty-year-old.
Words & images: Russell Colvin
He may be hurt, but Luke Mitchell still finds time for a smile