Championship chaser Sylvain Guintoli was forced to miss the first ViSK.com British Superbike race at Donington Park - and now faces a spell on the sidelines - after colliding with Joshua Brookes on the ride up to the grid.

The pair came together at the Melbourne hairpin as Brookes went up the inside of the Suzuki rider into the right-hander, collecting the Frenchman as he then turned in to take the corner.

While Brookes was unharmed, Guintoli appeared to be clipped by his bike as he went down and was seen holding his right ankle.

Having been taken from the circuit on a stetcher, it has now been confirmed that Guintoli has suffered a broken leg, hitting his championship chances and leaving the Worx Crescent Suzuki team to evaluate its options as a one-rider team for the events Guintoli will be forced to miss.

Depending on the severity of the injury, he could face as long as ten weeks on the sidelines.

Brookes also failed to make the start of the opening race, which was won by Leon Camier.