Peter Hickman, a seasoned competitor at the Isle of Man TT, has disclosed that his recent high-speed crash during a qualifying session was caused by a component failure. The incident occurred at the Kerrowmoar section of the Mountain Course on the evening of Friday, 30 May. Hickman, who has won 14 TT races, sustained multiple fractures including a broken left collarbone, left scapula, three ribs, and four vertebrae in his back.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, Hickman detailed the crash, stating, "Unfortunately, it was a component failure [which caused the crash] so it wasn't actually my fault. It was some bracketry that holds the exhaust in place. It didn't come loose, it broke in theory, and pushed the exhaust into the rear wheel and popped the rear tyre. That was why I crashed."

Hickman was riding his Superstock BMW machine for the 8TEN Racing team he recently formed with fellow racer Davey Todd when the crash occurred. He was flown to Noble's Hospital by Airmed helicopter and treated for his injuries before being discharged.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Hickman expressed gratitude towards the medics and marshals who assisted him, saying, "I'm pretty battered and bruised all over the place but I just want to say a massive thanks to the medics and the marshals that looked after me at the time. They did a fantastic job."

Hickman, who holds the absolute lap record for the 37.73-mile circuit, has been a regular competitor at the TT since his debut in 2014. Reflecting on the incident, he noted, "I've been going to the Isle of Man TT for 10 years and this is the first major problem that I've had."

This crash marks a significant moment in Hickman's 25-year career, as it was the first time he was knocked out during a race. He recounted, "I don't remember much about it because I was knocked out. I don't remember the lap leading up to it and the first time I properly woke up, I woke up in hospital, so that was a bit of a new experience for me."

Hickman's experience underscores the inherent risks of motorsport, even for the most experienced riders. His recovery and future participation in the TT will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.