Gino Rea has flown back to the UK from Japan and now faces a period of intensive rehab after his crash at the Suzuka Eight-Hours last month.

Rea has already taken his first steps and is communicating with his family.

A family statement reads:

On Monday 5th September, after a long-anticipated wait, we were finally able to get Gino back to the UK by a specialist air ambulance. He was transported from the hospital in Japan to the Neurological Rehab Centre in London.

Here Gino will begin the intensive rehab that is required for him to make the best recovery possible. It is a big relief for us all to have him back home safely in the UK.

We will give you a further update in the coming days once when he has settled in.