Pitt reports in to say x-rays reveal hand okay
Two times World Supersport Champion Aussie Andrew Pitt’s strict fitness and training schedule has contributed towards the Ten Kate Honda rider escaping injury despite contact with a competitor’s front wheel during a crash in the World Supersport race on the TT Circuit, Assen, Netherlands on the weekend.
Pitt, the 2008 Assen winner, had his left hand run over by a following bike after his machine lowsided him during a passing move in the closely fought race.
Andrew had made up for 10th in qualifying with a strong ride to the lead on lap three, running with the front pack for the majority of the race only to fall with six laps remaining, losing the front as he passed inside two Yamaha riders who had run wide.
Pitt had been struggling all weekend with the balance of his 2009 CBR600RR and, with his 110 per cent commitment, was trying hard to ride around the problem during the race, visibly pushing the front end harder than his competitors in order to run at their pace.
“I was still struggling a bit with the front of the bike and I was pushing hard everywhere because I just didn’t want to finish third, fourth or fifth. I wanted to win. When the Yamaha’s tangled in front of me and ran wide, I dived underneath – maybe a little too enthusiastically and I lost the front. I don’t know who ran over my arm, but I lost all feeling in it temporarily and couldn’t pick up the bike. X Rays have revealed that there’s nothing broken but it’ll probably be a little sore this week.”
There had been a nine-rider leading group at one stage and 10 changes of lead across the start-finish line, with many more passes put in on other parts of the track.
“I’m still fifth in the World Championship, however, a DNF is disappointing for the team and our many fans here at our home race.
“I rode the wheels off the bike and admit that it was tough to maintain pace, but a positive is that we have now identified some more issues to resolve before Monza on May 10 and hopefully the Ten Kate CBR600RR will be sorted and allow me to ride to my full potential at the coming round.”
Pitt has today headed straight to Italy for two weeks of physio and training to ensure he is 100 per cent fit for Monza.
