Honda World Motocross rider Max Nagl was involved in an incident with Clement Desalle while leading the third heat at the Mantova Starcross on Sunday in Italy, which saw both riders collide mid-air and left Nagl severely bruised.

Initial scans at a local hospital revealed only heavy bruising, but further tests yesterday in hospital along with the team’s doctors from Padova University have found two fractures to Nagl’s left hand, as well as a painful pulled ligament.

With a number of weeks until the first Grand Prix, Nagl will be required to undergo intensive physiotherapy and rest, although with the specialist treatment he is receiving, it is expected for him to be healed before the opening World Championship race in Qatar on the 2nd of March. 25-year-old German star Nagl will return to his base in Belgium tomorrow for a plaster cast on the hand and further treatment.

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Max Nagl “Obviously I’m really disappointed that this has happened, but unfortunately it is part of racing. From my side it was a racing incident with nobody to blame. My hand is sore, and we were having a really good debut weekend with the Honda, so I can’t hide how disappointed I am, but we will work hard to get everything fixed for the first Grand Prix. The team has been great and we’ve got some really good people around us, so I am in a good position to have the right treatment to get things healed quickly.”