Belfast Newsletter By Kyle White
Milwaukee Yamaha star Ian Hutchinson’s Vauxhall International North West 200 comeback was dealt a cruel blow on Tuesday as the Yorkshire rider crashed during Supersport practice.
Hutchinson went down at Mill Road Roundabout and missed the opening Superbike session as a result.
The Bingley rider was reported to have been taken to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine for a check-up after the incident, although he was up and walking following his crash, which happened as he accelerated away from the roundabout.
Hutchinson is making his return to the North West 200 after missing the event in 2012 as he recovered from further surgery on his left leg, which the five-in-a-week TT winner injured following a well-documented crash at Silverstone in 2010.
He made a dream comeback at the Macau Grand Prix in November, claiming victory from Michael Rutter to raise expectations over his prospects in 2014 at the international road races.
Milwaukee Yamaha team boss Shaun Muir later tweeted to confirm that Hutchinson was battered and bruised and was hoping to complete a few laps on his Superbike behind the Supertstock machines in the final practice session of the day.
