Image: Keith Muir.

DPH Motorsport Yamaha’s current Australian Supersport Championship number three Luke Mitchell will miss Wakefield Park’s second round following a recent testing crash at the Goulburn venue.

Mitchell was ninth overall at Phillip Island’s opener after a non-finish in race one, but will now have to sit-out round two while recovering from surgery on his wrist to have it plated.

“During testing I high-sided after some fluid found its way onto my rear tyre through turn eight,” explained Mitchell, who was second overall at Wakefield Park last season. “My doctors have recommended surgery to ensure a fast recovery.”

Team owner Dale Hocking remains hopeful that Mitchell will still be in the title-hunt: “We saw huge fields at Phillip Island in most classes and we expect it to be no different when we get to Wakefield. If things go as we expect, we’ll be seeing different riders in the mix, which will keep the door open for Luke’s title hopes.”

With Mitchell missing this weekend’s Wakefield Park event at least, he will have over a month to regain fitness prior to round three at Winton Motor Raceway on 28-30 April. DPH Motorsport will continue to field road racing newcomer Boyd Hocking this weekend.