WATCH: BSB team-mate title favourites clash; O’Halloran OK, Mackenzie fracture

Runaway British Superbike Championship leader Jason O’Halloran has escaped injury beyond bruises following a collision with McAMS Yamaha team-mate Tarran Mackenzie at Silverstone.

However, there was worse news for Mackenzie - second to O’Halloran in the standings - who suffered a fractured hand.

In what was a shocking conclusion to the first race of the weekend at Silverstone, O’Halloran and Mackenzie were once more demonstrating their credentials as the form riders in this year’s BSB series as they diced for the lead in the closing stages.

O’Halloran - already a 10-time race winner in 2021 - had led from the early stages, but a late charge from Mackenzie would see him snatch the lead at Brooklands on Lap 22 of 24.

However, after cleanly making the pass up the inside, Mackenzie lost the rear of the R1, which flicked him into a high-side that sent both him and the bike right into the path of O’Halloran who catapulted over the handlebars.

Both riders were able to right themselves, albeit gingerly, but required visits to the medical centre for the all clear.

A tweet from McAMS Yamaha said O’Halloran had escaped injury despite the impact, adding that he intends to race tomorrow.

Pleased to report @ohalloran22 has been released from the medical centre.



He is battered and bruised but otherwise OK and intends to ride tomorrow. #YamahaRacing #RevsYourHeart #WeR1 #SilverstoneBSB pic.twitter.com/FGqCsF0xMs

— McAMS Yamaha (@McAMSYamaha) September 11, 2021

However, there is more of a question mark for Mackenzie, who has fractured the fifth metacarpal on his left hand. 

Update: @tarranmac95 sustained a fractured fifth metacarpal on his left hand in the incident in today's race.



Further update to follow

— McAMS Yamaha (@McAMSYamaha) September 11, 2021

The incident will trigger memories of the 2019 BSB opener when Mackenzie’s pass for the lead on O’Halloran at the final corner instead forced the Australian to crash. The Scot went on to win but lost it when he was penalised for causing an accident.

It is also a critical time for both riders, who between them have won all but seven of the 21 races contested so far this year, with this weekend marking the end of the season’s first phase before the top eight head onto the Title Showdown, where the champion will be decided over three rounds and nine races with more equalised points.

Marking his first DNF of 2021, O’Halloran currently 106 point lead over Mackenzie, though this will be reduced to just 30 points for the start of the Showdown (podium credits achieved in Races 2 and 3 notwithstanding).