Jenkinson injured after superb Superbike debut.

The 23-year-old stunned the Superbike paddock with a magnificent seventh place qualifying perfomance in the tricky conditions on Saturday.

He then proved that his qualifying speed was not a one off by running in fifth place in the early stages of the first race, only to be forced out by engine failure.

Unfortunately the youngster's second race proved to be rather more damaging to himself as well as the bike. The race was in its early stages as Jenkinson tipped his Fireblade into the fearsome Church bend. The bike locked up and Jenkinson was off into the undergrowth at 140mph.

The red flag was waved instantly and after medical attention Jenkinson was taken to hospital in Southampton.

The former R6-Cup frontrunner has suffered a compound fracture of his right forearm that could force him out for a considerable time.

Talking to Crash.net from his office, team owner Robin Croft said: "We are so gutted for Adam, he has very quickly become the focus of our team and for him to be out so soon and for so long is very sad for him and us. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but it was a failure of the bike.

"His arm was operated on on Sunday night and the surgeons are keen to have another look soon to try and better the fix they have already made. The arm has been plated but until the second operation we do not have a timescale for Adam's return."

The team are therefore on the lookout for a replacement rider who can help them out in the next few races. Croft is keen to stress though that Jenkinson is their main man and as soon as he is fit he will be back on the bike.

SMT are running ex-Karl Harris 2007 Hondas, bought from Shaun Muir's Hydrex/Bikeanimal team, who Croft says his outfit have close links with. A 2008 bike has also been purchased and will be available as and when time is found to prepare it.

Croft revealed another piece of interesting news to Crash.net - that multiple British Supermoto Champion and current factory Aprilia Supermoto rider Christian Iddon is to race a Superstock 600 bike for SMT at Oulton Park during the May BSB meeting.

Iddon has been allowed by Aprilia to ride in six or seven road race meetings this year, and at Oulton will ride under the SMT banner on an as yet unnamed motorcycle.

"It's very exciting for us," said Croft. "My crew chief Alec Tague has known the Iddon's for many years and Christian has been having a dabble this year in some club racing and track days. He has gone very well and we are hoping he can be right up there from the start."