Image: Keith Muir.

Triple Australian champion Glenn Allerton has conceded that he will have to sit out both of today’s Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul Pirelli races in Darwin.

Still recovering from a serious arm break sustained at Wakefield Park, Allerton reached his target of riding at Hidden Valley, but has opted out of Sunday’s pair of 17-lap races.

The Yamaha Racing Team rider soldiered on to qualify eighth yesterday despite difficulties with his shoulder and arm upon return, then climbed to sixth in this morning’s warm-up, however decreasing strength in his left arm has forced him out of the round following an assessment with RACESAFE.

“I had some pain in my arm yesterday after qualifying when I had a big tank-slapper,” Allerton told CycleOnline.com.au. “I did the warm-up this morning and then went to see RACESAFE, we did an assessment on my strength and I’ve lost grip-strength in my left arm.

“They told me it’s not advisable that I race and I agree with them. I can feel that I’ve lost all the strength, so unfortunately if we were at a different circuit it’d probably be okay. The heavy braking and left-hand corners at this track put a lot of weight into the left arm, which was the one I’d broken.

“It’s disappointing because I put a lot of effort into my body and the rehab to be here – training and eating right – and so did the team, so I feel really bad that I couldn’t compete today. The decision was basically made for me by the RACESAFE guys and I have to agree when my arm is in this state.

“It’s best to sit this one out, but I clearly showed that we’re quite strong still with less than half the strength I need. We’ll push forward from here and the goal is to win races by the end of the year. We’re going in the right direction, the bike’s good and I just need to get my fitness in check then we can be back at the front winning races.”