Former Irish Superbike Champion Michael Pearson has withdrawn from this year's Isle of Man TT after a crash at Horice in the Czech Republic last weekend left him with an injuries and a badly-damaged bike.

Pearson is struggling with a damaged shoulder and knee, while his Hotties Racing GSX-R600 is in bad shape. Pearson has decided that, for his own safety and that of others, not riding at the TT is the best option.

His crash in practice, however, didn't stop him from bagging a fairytale win in the Superbike class and setting an absolute track record in the process despite being in considerable pain.

"It's been an eventful weekend to say the least, but it has all worked our really well and to get the Superbike race win along with the circuit lap record just tops everything. I was happy enough with my practice sessions on Saturday when I was twice piped for pole position in the 600cc and 1000cc sessions," said Pearson.

"Race day came and it was a scorching morning and about nine am we went out for the 600cc warm-up run. It was on my second circuit that my world came to an abrupt halt, when the Hotties 600 Suzuki just gave way at the front on the approach to the hairpin bend.

"I had done nothing different from the previous lap, and I was not even at race speed, so it had to be caused by some debris on the track or something. It was quit a big get off and hitting a grass bank about 90mph, is not really what I had planned.

"I was taken to hospital in Hradec Kralove when I was assessed, X-rayed and scanned, but thankfully I was ok and given permission to start the Superbike race. I was in quite a bit of pain with my shoulder and knee, but I wanted to take part and decided to go for it. In the race, once I got going, I had made my mind up that I wanted this race win and win it I did with just over three seconds to spare from Kamil Holan."