A SUPERBIKE racer who broke his back during a 120-miles-per-hour crash at Thruxton last year has got back in the saddle for another season.

Stephen Thomas, also known as Tommo21, spent six months recovering from the high-speed Thruxton Circuit crash on August 12, 2023 which left him hospitalised for almost a week.

The 32-year-old dad described the lap five crash itself as "really strange" as he was feeling "surprisingly comfortable" in the lead-up to it, placed at 20th.

As he closed a gap and attempted to line up a pass on the driver in front, Sergeant Thomas "got a bit too keen on the throttle" through the first left bend.

Salisbury Journal: Stephen Thomas came off his superbike at Thruxton and was taken to Southampton Hospital last year.Stephen Thomas came off his superbike at Thruxton and was taken to Southampton Hospital last year. (Image: Eurosport / Tommo21)

"Unfortunately on that pass at those speeds there’s so much inertia involved that when that rear tyre stops spinning it grips and throws you to the moon. All that occurred in a fraction of a second," he said.

Read more: Thruxton: Amesbury racer Stephen Thomas hospitalised after crash

Sgt Thomas was carried off the track on a stretcher and had his back x-rayed within 15 minutes but medics did not know the full extent of his injuries.

He was referred to Southampton General Hospital where it transpired Sgt Thomas had sustained two crush fractures to his vertebrae from tumbling but none of his bones had shifted.

"That was really lucky because it meant they did not have to go into my back and put things back. That has led to a very fortunate and quite quick recovery," he explained.

"I was feeling grateful that nothing more serious happened. A whole magnitude of things could have happened."

Salisbury Journal: Stephen Thomas is a sergeant in the Royal Military Police and sponsored as an elite sportsman.Stephen Thomas is a sergeant in the Royal Military Police and sponsored as an elite sportsman.

Sgt Thomas' 2013 Triumph Daytona 675 "snapped in half" but a new opportunity, and a new bike, awaits him this year as he has signed with A Edwards Racing.

He will board the team's 2022 Yamaha R6 to race in the British Superbike Supersport Cup championship (top national level of 600cc racing) and the British Military Inter Services Championship hosted by No Limits Racing.

Salisbury Journal: Stephen Thomas is now racing with A Edwards.Stephen Thomas is now racing with A Edwards. (Image: Stephen Thomas)

The thought of returning to Thruxton does not fill Sgt Thomas with dread, instead he is "champing on the bit" to get back on the saddle.

"I don’t think I have to be careful I want to get back at attacking that in the same way if not harder that’s to stop any doubt. I tackle the demons of crashing there by going back at it the same way if not harder which we have to do at this top national level of racing," he said.

Before the crash, Sgt Thomas decided 2023 would be his final year of running an independent race team due to family commitments and the large chunk of time it takes to organise.

@salisburyjournal Stephen ‘Tommo21’ Thomas had a 120 mph crash at #Thruxton during the #BSB on Saturday, August 12. #superbike #crash #bikecrash #racing ♬ original sound - SalisburyJournal

Of his seven years racing, six were spent running a completely independent team and his options were to either finance a team, that would run the organisational aspects of racing for him, or run his own team and find sponsors.

By December things weren't looking hopeful as the only teams looking for riders wanted at least £30k from them to sign on - a price Sgt Thomas couldn't afford.

Alan Edwards and Joanne Lias, who formed A Edwards Racing in 2023, approached Sgt Thomas shortly after Christmas and offered him the opportunity to race with them. He signed up for one year with the BSB.

Salisbury Journal: Stephen Thomas is now riding a Yamaha R6.Stephen Thomas is now riding a Yamaha R6. (Image: Michael Wincott Photography)

Sgt Thomas, who's part of the Royal Military Police, will be further supported by the Army Motorcycle Road Race Team and his personal sponsor Black Onyx Concepts Ltd.

Other confirmed sponsors include Signs in Motion, Salisbury, and JP Autobodies, Chilmark, Salisbury.

Donnington Park will host a No Limits Racing test on April 13 and 14 which will be the first proper chance for Sgt Thomas to get to grips with the new bike.

Sgt Thomas will return to Thruxton for a weekend of BSB Supersport racing on August 9.