Image: Jeff Crow.

Raceline Pirelli Suzuki has confirmed the team will head to Broadford minus MX2 pilot Rhys Carter after the New Zealand racer suffered injury during round two of the MX Nationals at Appin.

After two successful outings representing the Raceline team, Carter will now remain sidelined for the 2015 season with a knee injury that will put the Suzuki-mounted rider out of action for up to nine months.

Raceline Pirelli Suzuki team manager Jesse Wallace spoke of Carter’s injury, remaining optimistic that the team will continue with their MX Nationals campaign.

“We are obviously pretty shattered for Rhys,” Wallace said. “He has made a lot of progress over the last two rounds so to see him sidelined for the season is pretty heart-breaking.

“Rhys had an off in the last moto at Appin and initially we didn’t think it was too much to worry about, but since having some scans we have realised the extent of his injury. He has torn his MCL, ACL and also broken a couple of ribs, so it’s amazing that he even made it through the last round.”

With Carter out for the series, Wallace confirmed the team’s plans for the remainder of the season.

“With Rhys out for six to nine months, we have decided to take on and Jesse Madden for the rest of the 2015 season in the MXD class,” he added.

“Jesse is a former customer of Raceline Performance and we already have a relationship with him, so to be able to offer him a ride this early in the season is a positive thing. Fingers crossed we can keep the ball rolling and have a good weekend racing at Broadford.”

The Raceline Pirelli Suzuki team will head to Broadford on 26 April for round three of the MX Nationals.