A row has broken out following a controversial crash at last weekend's Bush Road Races after former Irish Superbike Champion Michael Pearson was involved in an incident with Damien Mulleady.

The pair were tussling for position in the 600 race with Pearson leading as Mulleady tried to pass up the inside. Mulleady concedes he was travelling too quicky and there was no contact between the bikes but Pearson ended up in a field with a smashed Yamaha R6.

"I am totally gutted.  What was he thinking about? It was nearing the end of the lap, and we had been circulating together for sometime, when Damien tried to take me on the inside of the corner,"s aid Pearson.

" There was no room whatsoever, and the next thing I knew was that I and the bike were being catapulted up a field. I was a bit dazed, but was more concerned for the bike, and when I saw it, I thought, that's it, she wrecked.  

"I am not best pleased with what happened, even though Damien said he was sorry, but that has little comfort for me. I don't know where that will leave us now for Athea, Skerries, Southern 100 and Scarborough. Quite frankly, I am skint and have not got the money to fix it, so that's it."

Mulleady said: "Michael is a top class rider and I knew he would be difficult to pass. I got better drive out of the previous right hander and got along side Michael heading towards the next left hand turn which is a second/third-gear turn.

"I was on the inside line approaching the corner but was carrying a little too much speed and felt I might not make the turn so I opted for the run- off area in front which was a field that had the hedge removed. There was no contact between myself and Michael but he went down and finished up in the field also. I was able to keep the bike upright as I entered the run off.

"I apologized to Michael after the doctors were finished speaking to him and he accepted “it was a racing incident” as he put it himself. I can understand that Michael is upset as down through the years in road racing I have been involved in “racing incidents” through no fault of my own.

"I nor any of my team have ever said anything bad about the other rider as these incidents happen in racing. Michael is a nice guy and an excellent rider and most important thing is that we both walked away.”