Isle of Man TT champ in race against time to fix bike to enter today’s race
A crash on Frida🌟y caused damage to the bike which must be fixed quickly
Today [Saturday] is the first day of racing at the 2024 Is🌊le of Man TT but the drama has already started.
A reigning 💞TT champion faces a challenge to even enter the race afte😼r a crash on Friday resulted in minor injuries, but more significantly some damage to the machine.
Ben Birchall is the reigning Sidecar champion from 2023, and is partnered with new passenger&ꦗnbsp;Kevin Rousse🅰au this year.
The duo craꦦshed at Mountain Box during Qualifying on Friday.
After medical treatment they are described as fine, albeit🧜 with bumps and bruises.
The big problem they face is th🐓e damage to the Honda LCR.
They must fix any lingering problems before 4pm Saturday when t🍒he first Sidecar race begins.
A social media post from Birchall read: “[Friday] afternoon, we ha☂d 🃏an accident at the Mountain Box due a mechanical failure.
“The boys areౠ ok, just a little bruised. Thanks to Arai Helmet Europe and RST for keepꦇing us safe.
“Also big thanks 💛to the marshals and medical personnel on the cours🉐e, the people from Noble’s Hospital and physio in the paddock.
“We'll try to fix the bike for [S💦aturday] - fi♏ngers crossed."
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports,𓆉 to football, to F1.
