Painful debut on the world stage for race ace Kyle Ryde as he crashes at Phillip Island

The two-time British champion is taking on the world elite for the first time, in the Supersport 600cc class – a support series that runs alongside the World Superbikes.

But his debut for the Italian team, Ranieri Med Yamaha, was less than ideal.

Having set impressive times on his new machine, at the track on a small island south of Melbourne, Ryde crashed out during the third free practise session.

And although he received pain management help from World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea and his ‘magical healing machine’ - Ryde was hindered in race action by his hand injury.

He did set a good time during the Superpole session, placing himself on the third row of the grid in ninth for Sunday’s race, but finished the weekend pointless after struggling to 19th place.

Ryde, who will now undergo medical treatment for a fractured bone in his hand, said: “I’m enormously sorry for the team but I just couldn’t ride any better.

“During the night the pain in my hand got worse and worse despite the painkillers, in the race I just couldn’t focus on riding the bike at the limit.

“I’m sure we would have got a brilliant placement because we’ve got a very powerful bike.”

Ex Moto2 Swiss rider Ralph Krummenacher won the race, followed by Italian Franco Caricasulo and Australian veteran GP racer Anthony West was third.

The next round is at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand on the weekend of 11th to 13th March, giving Ryde some time to rehab his injury.