Voltcom Crescent Suzuki’s Alex Lowes is to return to England this week after undergoing treatment in Australia to the ankle injury he sustained at Phillip Island. 

Lowes suffered a high-side at turn-11 during the last timed free practice session for the opening round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship. The Englishman was diagnosed at the circuit with a suspected dislocated left ankle and was cleared to compete in Sunday’s races, but further evaluation of the injury by specialists has revealed the injury was more serious.

Following the races – which saw Lowes battle on bravely despite the damage to his ankle – he decided not to return to the UK as planned, but travelled to Adelaide where he underwent further medical checks and treatment on the badly bruised and swollen joint. The extensive analysis and MRI scans concluded that the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki racer had in fact sustained fractures to his tibia, ankle and three bones in his forefoot, but that he will not require corrective surgery and with the appropriate treatment will make a complete recovery.

Lowes will continue his rehabilitation in Australia for the remainder of this week before travelling back to England in a bid to be fit for the next round of competition at Aragon in Spain in six weeks’ time.