Virgin Media Yamaha rider BJ Toal fell victim to a qualifying crash, resulting in a broken right wrist ahead of Round 7 of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship at Oulton Park this weekend (20th July).
Mixed weather conditions had plagued the Cheshire circuit throughout the day, deeming the first outing of the Supersport qualifying session wet. Using the wet conditions to maximise his qualifying position, BJ quickly found his pace, confident in his ability.
Having already posted a top ten qualifying time, BJ began his tenth lap of the session high on confidence, lighting the timing screens ‘purple' denoting the fastest time of the session to be set in the first sector. On exiting Knickerbrook chicane BJ highsided his Yamaha YZF-R6 falling heavily on his right wrist.
A consultation at the circuit medical centre and an on-site X-ray confirmed his worst fears, a break to the right wrist, leaving BJ unable to ride for the remainder of the weekend. Toby Branfoot, Series Medical Director has advised a rest period of 4 weeks, leaving BJ sidelined for Round 8 at Knockhill, Scotland.
BJ will set his sights on a return at the team's home round at Cadwell Park over the August Bank Holiday (23-25 August).
BJ Toal: "I'm so disappointed, I can't believe my luck. Everything felt great in that session, I really enjoy riding in the wet and always manage to make the most of it. I'd put in the fastest sector of the session, of course I was pushing but that's what qualifying is about. On the exit of Knickerbrook I pushed a little too hard and the conditions caught me out. The wrist is a clean break so I shouldn't suffer any complications I'd love to ride at the next round but realistically it will be too soon. I hope to be back for Cadwell at the end of August."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal: "BJ always puts in a confident performance in the wet, he has a really smooth style and was really trying before he went down. Of course we are disappointed for him. I think that we can expect to see him fit for Cadwell, which gives him five weeks recovery time."
Qualifying Results:1. Kennaugh (Yamaha)
2. Martin (Kawasaki)
3. Lowry (Suzuki)
4. Richards (Truimph)
5. Westmoreland (Honda)
DNQ - BJ Toal (Virgin Media Yamaha)
