Image: Keith Muir.

Australian Supersport front-runner Callum Spriggs will miss both the second round of the 2015 Australian Supersport Championship and opening Asia Road Race Championship (ARRC) round after sustaining injuries during testing at Sepang, Malaysia, last week.

Spriggs was a favourite for this weekend’s Morgan Park ASBK Supersport event, however has been forced out with a displaced fracture of the T11 vertebrae, a fractured 12th rib, an avulsion fracture of his right ankle, plus bruising, swelling, soft tissue and ligament damage.

“The back is quite painful when I twist and move it suddenly, but I have to wear a brace for the next few weeks to keep the break stable,” Spriggs explained. “I can put some pressure on my ankle but will need physio for some time.

“I will miss round two of ASBK this weekend and also the opening round of Asia Road Race Championship. I am of course frustrated as I was hoping to still race up until yesterday afternoon, but the doctors have told me that I can’t take any chances with such a serious injury to my spine.

“Obviously injuries are never good, but it’s part of racing motorbikes. It’s disappointing, but there is nothing I can do about it but keep positive and heal quickly with physio and rehabilitation.

“Although I will most likely lose some bike fitness during this I expect a full recovery within a few weeks. Thank you for all the encouragement and support I have been receiving. I am hoping to make it out to the track on Saturday to support my club.”

Spriggs is due to contest multiple series in 2015, including the ASBK, ARRC and Australasian Superbike Championship (FX-ASC) Supersport categories on board his Yamaha YZF-R6.