MASTERS & KURTZ FACE FITNESS FIGHT

Aussie duo Sam Masters and Brady Kurtz both suffered injuries in the opening round of the Australian Championship at Gillman on Tuesday.

Masters crashed in the first run of semi-final two and was taken to hospital for checks. While he suffered no broken bones, he is undergoing physiotherapy for muscle damage to his left shoulder.

There are also concerns over Kurtz after his Polish club Rybnik confirmed he suffered a broken rib when he crashed in heat 19 of the Gillman round, with the pursuing Ben Cook unable to avoid him.

It is unclear whether the pair will be fit for round two of the Australian Championship at Victorian track Albury on Saturday, with the series then moving to Hunter Valley venue Kurri Kurri on Monday, before concluding at North Brisbane next Wednesday.

A post on Masters’ Facebook page confirmed he is working to return to action as soon as possible.

It read: “Sam has visited hospital following his crash in the opening round of the Australian Championships. Thankfully nothing has been broken but he does have muscle damage to his left shoulder. He will now undergo physio to get himself fit and back on a bike as soon as possible. We will update you as soon as we have any other news.”

Speedway GP rider Jason Doyle won the opening round of the Aussie Championship, with Jack Holder beating Max Fricke to second place. Doyle and Holder are tied on 17 championship points at the top of the standings ahead of the Albury round.

Photo: Taylor Lanning