At the time of writing, it has been confirmed that Guintoli's injuries are confined to his right leg: He is still receiving treatment to his fractures but an early prognosis suggests he will be out of racing for the next 10 weeks.

The accident happened at the end of the sighting lap as the riders were turning into the Melbourne Hairpin. It is evident that HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes arrived at the entry into the corner too fast and consequently crashed into Guintoli. The initial impact was responsible for Guintoli's injury. Brookes was uninjured in the collision.

MotorSport Vision Racing, the organisers of the BSB series, conducted an immediate investigation into the incident and have reported the following:

"Having interviewed Josh Brookes and team manager Havier Beltran, and after reviewing the incident with video, photographic and timing data evidence, it is concluded that it was caused by a failure in the operation of the braking system of Brookes' machine, the exact cause of which is unknown."

Jack Valentine - Worx Crescent Suzuki Team Manager:

"This has come as a terrible blow to us. Sylvain has been brilliant throughout testing and the early season races. He's done a first class professional job, proving just how fast and how smooth he can be. He's made such an impression - he's quite probably the best rider I've ever worked with.

"We're obviously upset, incidents like this shouldn't happen any time, but they're particularly hard to accept on sighting laps. However, we must now anticipate Sylvain's recovery. We're looking forward to his return, but by no means will we rush him back. It's important that Sylvain only returns when he's fully fit.

"In the meantime we will need to appoint a temporary replacement for him. We will need some time to consider our options and make an appointment - but in saying that, we will look to be making an announcement before Thruxton in a week's time."



SEELEY TAKES DONINGTON SUPERSTOCK VICTORY:

Alastair Seeley continued to demonstrate the pedigree of the 2009 GSX-R1000 at Donington Park - taking his third victory in Relentless Suzuki livery - to lead the National Superstock 1000cc Championship by 28 points after only three races.

Seeley was virtually unchallenged all weekend and when the Carrickfergus man hit the front on the opening lap of the 15-lap race, he ruthlessly gapped his rivals at lap record pace. With an eight second lead at half distance, he settled into his super-smooth economic style and cruised to another win for Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing.

Superstock rookie BJ Toal was fighting for a top-10 position when he unfortunately slid off unhurt at the Melbourne Loop late in the race.

In the British Superbike class, Ian Lowry demonstrated his fighting qualities when he ran out of road on lap two of the opening race at the Foggy Esses. The 22-year-old rejoined race one in 24th place but didn't give up, recording podium pace in the latter stages to finish in eighth position.

In race two he spent the early laps circulating with Karl Harris on the fringes of the top 10, but once the youngster had dispensed with the former multiple British champion, he found his rhythm, scything his way through the field to finish impressively in sixth place. With 18 points from today's races, Lowry moves into ninth place in the 2009 Visk British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli.

Atsu Watanabe had a tough day at Donington Park, and after failing to find a comfortable set-up on his Relentless Suzuki Superbike, the Japanese rider recorded a best result of 19th place in race one.

Ian Lowry:

"Believe it or not I'm happier with the way I rode in race one coming from 24th to eighth, as in race two I got caught behind Karl Harris for too long; then when I did get past I knew Glen Richards was too far in front. The frustrating thing is, I was running the same lap times as him. My confidence is growing and with the help of the team I'm learning all the time, so I'm really enjoying the Superbike."

Alastair Seeley:

"The 2009 GSX-R1000 worked well all weekend. Brogie gave me a bit of trouble at the start of the race but when I got in front I pulled the pin and reeled off a few qualifying type laps to gap them all. I watched my pit board and when it got to +8, I backed off a little and nursed it home as I didn't want to do anything stupid."

Philip Neill - Team Principal:

"It's been a superb day all round, but I really feel for Atsu. He couldn't find his comfort zone today, which is more frustrating as we all know how talented he is as a former all Japan champion. Unfortunately he hasn't yet found the ingredients required to master the UK circuits on the 2009 GSX-R1000.

"Whilst we are delighted with Ian's results today, it is also frustrating as he could run the pace of the top three or four. If he can master his starts he will be up amongst them challenging for a podium very soon, but to come from almost last to eighth in race one was nothing short of phenomenal. In race two Karl Harris was actually holding him up, but his sixth place, again, was encouraging and we can see him growing in confidence every week.

"I've run out of superlatives for Alastair Seeley, but we must not get complacent. Since jumping on the 2009 GSX-R1000 he hasn't been headed by anyone in qualifying or in a race situation and today, he was still in his comfort zone."

Results:

BSB Race 1: 1 Leon Camier [Yamaha]; 2 James Ellison [Yamaha]; 3 Stuart Easton [Honda]; 4 Glen Richards [Honda]; 5 Chris Walker [Yamaha]; 6 Karl Harris [Honda]. 8 Ian Lowry [Relentless Suzuki]. 19 Atsushi Watanabe [Relentless Suzuki].

BSB Race 2: 1 James Ellison [Yamaha]; 2 Stuart Easton [Honda]; 3 Chris Walker [Yamaha]; 4 Simon Andrews [Kawasaki]; 5 Glen Richards [Honda]; 6 Ian Lowry [Relentless Suzuki]. DNF - Atsu Watanabe [Relentless Suzuki].

National 1000cc Superstock: 1 Alastair Seeley [Relentless Suzuki]; 2 Scott Smart [Ducati]; 3 Richard Cooper [Yamaha]; 4 Adam Jenkinson [Honda]; 5 Steve Brogan [Honda]; 6 James Hillier [Kawasaki]. DNF - BJ Toal [Relentless Suzuki].