Martin - the 14-times Dundrod winner and enigmatic TV star - was leading the final lap of the Dundrod 150 Superbike race on Thursday night when he lost control of his Tyco BMW at Ireland’s Corner.
He had been in a high-speed duel with the world’s fastest road racer, Bruce Anstey, who went on to win the race.
Initially Martin’s team tweeted: "Guy is banged about a bit but nothing broken". The 33-year-old was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital with suspected broken ribs.
But the Lincolnshire rider’s sister Kate today tweeted to say her brother would need an operation to stabilise his vertebrae.
He has suffered breaks to his ribs, sternum and vertebrae but is said to be in good spirits with family alongside him in hospital.
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A Tyco BMW statement said they expected Martin to be released from hospital within the next few days.
"It’s a huge disappointment for everyone at Tyco BMW, not least Guy himself, after putting his BMW Motorrad S1000RR machinery on pole position for both the Ulster Grand Prix Superstock and Superbike races tomorrow."
Team manager Philip Neill said Martin had been in great form over the past few days at Dundrod: “Most importantly our thoughts are with Guy at this point in time, and although it is a real shame he will not be racing on Saturday – thankfully he will recover from his injuries and be up on his feet in a few days. As a matter of fact he is already talking about work on Monday!
"Guy was feeling really comfortable on the BMW Motorrad machinery this week, and his double pole position and a best lap of 133.176mph during last night’s Dundrod 150 race, confirmed to us that he had a great chance of adding to his impressive tally around Dundrod.
"He was well aware that Bruce Anstey wasn’t that far behind and was eager to get a good run out of Ireland’s Corner to set him up for his favourite part of the track. Unfortunately he got caught out by the high-side, which has ended his Ulster Grand Prix for 2015, but full credit must go to the organisers for the improved safety measures at the circuit.
"We still have a job to do tomorrow with William Dunlop, who has front row and second row starts in the Superstock and Superbike races to look forward to. He has been improving his pace throughout the week on the S1000RR, so we are looking for a positive finish to our international road racing season with Tyco Security Products and BMW Motorrad."
Martin served his apprenticeship at Dundrod doing laps after work with a former racer and colleague some 12 years ago, and while he is an advocate of the major safety changes and circuit improvements over the years, he openly admits it hasn’t affected his approach or commitment level.
“There are no chicanes. I don’t know, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s fast and flowing and I suppose you just click with certain places. It’s all fourth, fifth and six gear, and blindingly fast. None of this stop-start nonsense,” said Martin before his accident last night.
As well as road racing, Martin is a lorry mechanic and occasional TV presenter.
He has repeatedly been named as a contender for new new Top Gear team, since Jeremy Clarkson’s 'fracas' and the subsequent departure of Richard Hammond and James May
Martin was victorious at the Armoy Road Races last month, where Ian Simpson was critically injured in a crash.
Source: belfasttelegraph
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