Tom crashes out of MotoGP debut

The Newport rider crashed just after the start in the Moto3 class, which put an early end to any chances of scoring points in Qatar on Sunday.

The weekend also turned badly for his CIP-Gree Power team-mate Darryn Binder, who crashed out of seventh on lap two.

But while Binder was unable to restart, Booth-Amos, 22, remounted after a quick return to the pits to cross the line in 24th place.

Booth-Amos said: “At the beginning of the race, I felt good.

"I was able to overtake many riders. It was a good thing but I made a mistake at turn six.

"I’m sorry, but it’s the race. However, we took a step forward this weekend and we are getting closer to where we need to be. I thank the team and I want to apologise for the crash.”

Binder had posted the 15th fastest time during practice on Friday, while Booth-Amos in 27th, 2.3 seconds off the leaders.

The Shropshire rider eventually qualified in 26th with his team-mate rising from 24th on the grid to seventh before his crash.

Team owner Alain Bronec said: “Tom improved throughout the weekend.

"Unfortunately, he made a mistake trying to overtake other riders in a corner.

"However, he set some interesting times. Our goal will be to remain relaxed at the beginning of the race to reach the finish line.”

The CIP-Green Power team will now head to the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina for round two on March 31.

Michael Rutter will be back flying the flag for Great Britain after flying out to Australia to compete in the International Festival of Speed.

The Bridgnorth-based star will be joined fellow racing veterans, former GP winner Jeremy McWilliams, from Northern Ireland, 23-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness, and ex-pat Glen Richards, a former British champion, who original comes from Australia.

Rutter, aged 46, will be racing around Sydney Motorsport Park for the races in the QBE TT Cup, which runs from March 14-17.

The four-man team, run by Roger Winfield, will battle for the cup against riders New Zealand and Australia over five legs.

Bikes eligible to compete are air-cooled four strokes, or water-cooled two strokes, up December 1984. Rutter and his team-mates will run Harris F1 chassis, with Yamaha FJ1200 engines.

The fifth and final race, held over 10 laps on Sunday, will be the feature race of the meeting.

Rutter said: "I'm racing in Australia, Sydney, for Great Britain again, and it should be good because the track is one I've always wanted to race, so I'm looking forward to it."

Rutter has also added a special parade lap to his already bulging schedule at the Classic TT in August.

The fortnight of racing on the Isle of Man, which coincides with the Manx GP before and after the August Bank Holiday, will this year honour the life of Steve Hislop.

This year marks 30 years since 'Hizzy', renowned as one of the greatest riders to ever grace the island, first broke through the 120mph lap barrier.

The Scotsman tragically died in helicopter crash in 2003, aged just 41, but Rutter fondly remembers his battles and rates Hizzy as one of the best he has come up against.

"I'll be riding the 350cc TZ Yamaha he rode to his first TT victory in 1987," said Rutter, who will also be back racing during main Classic TT races.

"It will be nice because it's the actual bike and I've never ridden one like that before."

The Classic TT runs from August 17 to 26.