Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne will be assessed by medical staff in the morning to see if he will be fit enough to take part in both MCE British Superbike races tomorrow.

The reigning champ high-sided during the final free practice outing, and was only passed fit to take part in qualifying after assuring the medical staff that he would only complete a handful of laps.

Byrne has been hobbling around on crutches and had to be physically lifted on to his bike by his team, as even that simple task proved too tough for the triple champion. The rider is still in a lot of pain after bruising his hip, but Byrne, who only has a one point lead in the championship, hopes he will be able to take part in the races at Silverstone tomorrow.

“Ironically enough I pleaded to the medics that I only need to do six laps for qualifying, and they cleared me for so far and hopefully we can get good for the races tomorrow,” said Byrne at the circuit.

“After the crash everything happened really quickly, but the medical team did a great job, and so did the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team, as by all accounts the bike needed a new chassis and all credit to them. I didn’t expect to be here [on the front row] but I will take it.

“It was a strange crash, my pace was good and I went into Luffield and the back of the bike came around and it sent me up in the air. I am not sure what has gone wrong, I had some x-rays as something is not right in my hip, and I get this shooting pain up my leg and lower back, and I need to get back into physio and get in to the best shape for tomorrow.”