Queenslander Chris Vermeulen has been ruled out of competition in 2010.

Australia’s Chris Vermeulen is set to sit out the remainder of the 2010 Superbike World Championship, seeking further advice on the right knee injury that has plagued his progress during this season.

Following the race one crash incident at Brno in the Czech Republic last weekend, Kawasaki Racing Team rider Vermeulen suffered further damage to the knee, forcing him to abandon race two after just a few laps.

The original injury was sustained in Philip Island at the first round and although the Queenslander returned to the team at the Assen race in April, his recovery has been very slow due to the severe ligament damage sustained.

The latest damage has set back the recovery process, Vermeulen now seriously considering a reconstruction surgery that will rule him out of the remainder of the season in a bid to regain full use and control of the knee.

As a result, Vermeulen will be suspending his race and test activities from WSBK so that immediate corrective medical treatment can be sought without delay and to help ensure that he can return to full fitness in preparation for the 2011 Kawasaki Racing Team program onboard the all-new ZX-10R.