IT was a difficult weekend for Danny Buchan at round six of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.

The Be Wiser Kawasaki rider, from Burnham on Crouch, was unlucky to get taken out in a first lap crash at turn two.

Unfortunately he took a bang to the head and was forced to sit out of race two after suffering concussion.

It is an exceptionally tough year in the British Superbike Championship and even closer this weekend at Brands Hatch and despite the long circuit the times in every session were incredibly close.

Buchan ended up qualifying in 19th place for the first race but only one second off pole sitter Shane Byrne.

He was determined to have a good race but it is always a little messy on the opening lap and he got caught up in another crash forcing him out the race on the second corner.

Buchan said: “It’s really disheartening about the weekend, we were making progress and the qualifying position didn’t reflect the effort that was put in by everyone.

“The times are so close this year and even more so here at Brands.

“We worked really hard and I was trying to avoid Jason O’Halloran and Peter Hickmans’ crash into Druids and I went down fairly heavily and took a big knock to the head.

“I'm gutted for everyone and it’s also my local circuit and I just wanted to do well here but onwards and upwards to Thruxton in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Team Manager Tommy Hill said: “It has been a very emotionally draining weekend and I know having ridden in the past how frustrating it is sometimes being a rider where things are out of our control.

“I’m gutted about this weekend and we are working so hard to move and push things forward, maybe that is part of the problem.

“Danny was unlucky in the first race to get caught up in that crash and suffer concussion.

“He didn’t really get to a chance to go and have a good shot at it.

“His times were improving and we had made some steps forward but he’ll be back fully fit and ready to race at Thruxton.”