Xaus confirmed with broken leg

Ruben Xaus has become the latest World Superbike rider to be sidelined with injury after breaking his leg in an accident on the opening lap of race one at Brno.

Xaus was running seventh midway round the first lap when fell on the exit of the right-hand hairpin, the Spaniard being catapulted into the gravel trap while his BMW bike swapped end-over-end around him.

Requiring a trip to the medical centre, Xaus reveals his leg got caught in the gravel as he came down, causing a break to the neck of his right femur.

A return to hospital in Barcelona will provide further detail as to the seriousness of the injury, but Xaus was remaining positive about his chances of being ready for the next round at the Nurburgring in five weeks time.

"That was a bit pity because I have been so happy about the bike this weekend because it has been so much easier to ride," he said. "Finally we were getting somewhere and then I crash! I guess that maybe the tyre was a bit too hard and a bit too cool. I didn't highside, I just fell off. I was sliding along OK and than I hit some deep gravel and that spun my right leg round and that's when the damage was done.

"I want to be positive and say that at least the injury has happened when we are about to have five weeks or so off and that will give me time to recover. I can't wait to get back on my bike and carry on with the recent improvements."

Xaus had been enjoying his best weekend to date on the BMW after qualifying in a season-best seventh.