Dean Ferris has confirmed he's ready to race this weekend at Coolum. Image: Alex Gobert.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Dean Ferris has been cleared for what will be the title fight of his life this weekend at Coolum, the final round of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals.

Ferris crashed out of contention at Moree on Sunday and lost the red plate as series leader, now facing a massive 40-point deficit to Kiwi Josh Coppins with a single round remaining.

Following a visit to specialists this week, Ferris has confirmed his intentions to race despite a painful thumb and severe chest injury.

“I decided last night that regardless how it went with the doctors and specialists today that I wanted to race – pain is only temporary,” Ferris explained.

“I hit the ground hard at Moree and my chest and lungs got squeezed hard against the ground. I did ligament damage to my hand but nothing is broken so with some strapping I’m good to go for the weekend.

“I’m looking forward to Coolum. I’m normally really strong at that track and it’s not a hard-pack track so that will suit my hand even better. I’ll do my regular cycle work this week and be good to go this weekend. I feel I’m good enough to race at the front.”

In a sign of the severity of his injuries, Ferris will undergo surgery to his thumb straight after Coolum’s finale, before hoping to regain fitness in time for the Motocross of Nations if he’s selected to represent Australia.

“I will have surgery on my thumb on the Monday night after Coolum, but it’s not that big a deal,” the 21-year-old added.

“Doctors say I’ll be back on my bike in a few weeks so thankfully it won’t affect my consideration for the Australian Motocross of Nations team.”

Ferris currently sits third in the MX Nationals standings behind CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha teammates Coppins and Jay Marmont.