LITTLE did I realise when I was sliding along the track at the Oschersleben circuit in Germany last Thursday, already thinking about jumping up and getting back on the bike, what the outcome would be.

The next few hours are all a bit of a blur.

A ride to the local hospital by helicopter, an operation with 15 stitches to close a wound at the back of my knee and news that keeps me out of this weekend’s British Grand Prix and more.

Back home now I’m clearer on everything and working hard to sort out what is best for the future.

I was at the Oschersleben competing for the YART, Official Yamaha team in the World Endurance Championship, practising for the final round of the Championship.

I was passing a slower rider when he weaved and knocked me off.

As I was sliding along the track another bike hit me and its fork leg went through the back of my right knee.

The result is I’ve suffered serious damage to three main ligaments in the knee which will require surgery.

I’m talking to the surgeons about when is the best time to have the operation because there is so much to consider.

I want to be back racing as soon as possible, but I also want to be able to train properly by running and cycling, which is so important for my general wellbeing.

Also, I have to consider what is best for my current and future employers.

It’s a very important decision.

Of course I’m absolutely gutted to miss Silverstone, but I’m positive about the future and have to be grown up to accept I’ve sustained a very big injury.

It could have been worse.

Now is time to move on and make the right decisions for the bigger picture.

We head into Silverstone and the British Grand Prix after amazing wins by Cal Crutchlow and John McPhee in Brno.

The last premier class win by a British rider, Barry Sheene, came ten years before I was born – 35 years is a very long wait.

I’m a great believer that things come around at the right time and Cal riding with No 35 and that first win after 35 years just feels the correct slot.

It would have been nice if we could have waited another three years for No 38 to have done it.

What a fantastic couple of weeks for Cal with the birth of his first child, daughter Willow and then his first grand prix win.

I’m sure Cal was down after the first five races of the season but, as with anything, the right mindset and a change of fortune means he now has a nice gold and silver medal.

It’s been a real season of struggle for John McPhee having to jump off an HRC Honda on to a new bike and the ups and downs that followed in Moto3.

I believe a few weeks ago he was even unsure about his future and if he was going to be riding at Brno.

Then suddenly he gets that first grand prix victory.

It was exciting and very nerve-wracking to watch the race in the pouring rain.

I was also really pleased for the guys working on the project with him such as The Racing Steps Foundation and Mark Keen, who have stuck with John throughout the tough times – people like that are gold dust.

It was also good to see Sam Lowes bounce back to the Moto2 podium after a difficult couple of races.

It was a smart ride to really consolidate that third place in the championship.

After watching Danny Kent win the Moto3 World title last year, I think our expectations were for Sam to claim the Moto2 crown this year.

But it’s not that easy.

This is racing at an elite level and Sam is doing a solid job in a very competitive class.

Those three guys will be rolling into Silverstone with such confidence.

There should be a great crowd with plenty of flags and banners to welcome those grand prix winners home.

I’ll be there cheering them on.