Image: Supplied.

World Supersport charger Anthony West was able to ride through the pain of a broken wrist sustained at Assen to claim a stunning sixth position at Imola on Sunday, just three weeks after the injury occurred.

The EAB West Racing Kawasaki team owner/rider was riding with two screws in his wrist and started from 16th on the grid, before surging through the field and crossing the line with a remarkable sixth-place result.

“Sixth was more than I was expecting after starting 16th on the grid and riding with a broken wrist,” West recalled. “After FP1 I was thinking there was no way I was going to be able to race. After my surgery, I was really sick the week before the race – I couldn’t hold down any food, even water was making me sick.

“I’m glad I kept pushing now that we got a better result. The team has been working on getting more power out of the engine and it definitely felt better. Now, I want to rest my wrist so that we can be ready for Donington.”

West’s result – matching his best finish of the year in Thailand – now sees him elevated to ninth as top Kawasaki rider in the championship standings, following the opening five rounds of the season despite a non-finish at Phillip Island and sitting out the race at Assen.