Welsh sidelined at Shubie

By John Hopkins

Shubenacadie, NS -- Canadian Kawasaki Motors factory racer Alex Welsh was forced to the sidelines at Atlantic Motorsport Park on Saturday after a nasty highside late in the morning's Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike practice session.

The 21-year-old from Uxbridge, ON was flung off his Kawasaki ZX-6R exiting turn three. The session was red flagged and Welsh was taken to hospital with hip and back pain. He had been sixth quickest in the session with a time of 1:09.185.

Welsh returned to the track later on Saturday. Although he had no broken bones he reported his hip and back were quite badly bruised and it was questionable that he would race on Sunday.

The 2008 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year came into the AMP event third in the Pro Sport Bike point standings and fourth in Parts Canada Superbike points.