Keith Farmer will miss today’s two Bennetts British Superbike Championship races at Donington Park after injuring his shoulder in a qualifying crash yesterday.

The Buildbase Suzuki rider, who was making his return to action after suffering two broken legs at Knockhill last July, crashed at Redgate in the final moments of qualifying and after withdrawing from the first race of the 2020 season, subsequent diagnosis revealed a torn ACJ ligament and out for the remainder of the weekend.

“It’s a real shame for Keith after coming back from injury and going well during testing," team owner Stuart Hicken told bikesportnews.com this morning.

“He was getting quicker and quicker in qualifying but unfortunately went in to Redgate a bit too quick and used a bit too much front brake and down he went.”

“It’s the ligament that holds the shoulder and collarbone together so Keith will be going for an operation either on Monday or Tuesday and we’ll know then how long he’ll be out for.

Hopefully, it won't be long but if it’s going to be for a few rounds we’ll look at getting someone else out on the bike. We'll just have to wait and see what the outcome is.”

Farmer’s team-mate Kyle Ryde was leading the opening race of the season before a stone punctured his radiator and forced his retirement.