Teen motorbike racer in bone-shattering 80mph crash

Charlie Huntingford, who is racing on No 76, crashed during practice in Snetterton

A 15-year old MotoGP racer said he was “definitely sore” after suffering a broken leg in an 80mph (129kph) crash at his home grand prix.

Charlie Huntingford from Debenham, Suffolk, was aiming for his first career podium, but crashed into a barrier during practice at a British Talent Cup race at Snetterton, Norfolk.

He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he had surgery for a broken tibia and fibula.

Huntingford said that despite the injury, he was in good spirits.

Ahead of Saturday's race, he told BBC Radio Suffolk that a win on his home track at Snetterton “would mean everything”.

During the competition, motorbikes can reach top speeds of about 140mph (225kph).

Huntingford said: “I maybe got a bit too fired up, which cost me.

“I pushed too hard on the second to last corner to get some extra lap time.

"I lost the front, and it was one of those where I thought 'oh no… this is going to be a big one'."

Huntingford was still smiling with hospital staff despite the injury

Doctors have given the teenager a recovery time of eight to 12 weeks, but Huntingford hoped to be back on the track sooner.

“I think I’ll be back around six to eight weeks. It's going to be tough watching everyone else race at the next round, but I’ll get through it," he said.

His father and manager, Simon Huntingford, owns a motorbike shop in Stowmarket, Suffolk, and was responsible for maintaining, fine-tuning and fixing his son's bike after crashes.

Previously he has seen his son, who he said has always been a fast rider, crash at speeds of more than 100mph (161kph).

“It’s always nervous seeing Charlie race as a dad, my heart drops," he said.