Battle-scarred Easton ruled out of home race

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider Stuart Easton has been forced to miss his home round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Knockhill this weekend.

Easton, who currently lies sixth in the overall championship standings, has developed an infection around a dynamic hip fixator, which has remained in place since his crash at the North West 200 last year.

The Hawick rider requires an operation on Wednesday to have the metalwork removed, which rules him out of his home race which gets underway in just four days time.

Easton said: "It is so disappointing for me to miss Knockhill as your home round is always a big one.

"I have been through a long road of recovery over the past year and have had what I believe to be an amazing comeback with top fives and a podium from the opening rounds.

"It took a lot of hard work and now to need another operation to have the metalwork in my hip taken out has come at a bad time but it has to be done.

"It is a race against time to be fit for the next round but this time the recovery won't be anywhere as hard as last time," he added.

"It is a shame as we are in a strong position in the championship but it is just another hurdle for me and I will be back as soon as possible with the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team."

Easton rode in the Silverstone 200 race on the MotoGP undercard at the weekend, crashing out of the race on Saturday in the wet and sustaining knee ligament damage.

His team-mate, Shane Byrne, won both races in convincing fashion to set himself up for the Knockhill BSB round this weekend.