WORLD champion Carl Fogarty today admitted he was lucky to not to suffer serious injury after crashing out of a practice session at 100mph.

The Blackburn star was unhurt after the spill during practice at the third round of the World Superbike Championship in Germany yesterday.

"I was lucky to escape without injury," admitted Fogarty who has had a troubled season on his new Castrol Honda.

Bravely he bounced back to claim seventh fastest in the session.

And he recorded the highest speed through the circuit's speed trap at 187mph.

Italian Pier-Francesco Chili grabbed provisional pole.

For Fogarty it's been another disappointing week.

He was dealt a blow this week with the sacking of long-term mechanic and friend Anthony Bass. Bass, known as 'Slick' in motorcycling circles, has been with the Blackburn double world champion throughout his Superbike World Championship campaigns.

But the powers that be at Honda decided, after the Donington meeting, to dispense with Bass' services.

Fogarty said: "It could not have happened at a worse time. He was someone who knew how I felt and related to me."

The sacking comes off the back of disappointing performances in the opening two rounds, in San Marino and England, when Fogarty failed to get on the pace.

He currently stands eighth in the title table, some 54 points behind championship leader Troy Corser.

"I've got to start winning. I'm still capable of winning, I just don't know about the bike."

"What's so frustrating is the competition is no tougher than last year.

"They are all riders I know I can beat. Troy Corser leads the table and I beat him week in week out last season," said Fogarty. But the Blackburn ace has not thrown the towel in yet and feels if he can get his machinery right then a tilt at a third title on the bounce is still on the cards.

"It's not dead yet, but it is not looking good," said Fogarty, who must return with something from tomorrow's Hockenheim round if he is to have any say in the race for honours.

"It's fast and that should suit the Honda and although it's not one of my favourite tracks I won back-to-back their last season," he added.

Burnley's Neil Hodgson is also finding Superbike life tough, but for very different reasons.

The Ducati rider is suffering with a broken wrist and rib following a practice crash at Donington.

It looked as if Hodgson would be out of action for up to six weeks, but he is made of stern stuff and travelled out to Germany this week determined to race.

The gutsy rider tested on Friday and although not at his best he managed to get through the session and will attempt to qualify for tomorrow's third round.

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