Source: KTM.

KTM Racing has announced that Red Bull KTM Factory MX2 rider Jeffrey Herlings has undergone successful surgery to repair the injury he sustained in a crash in MX2 qualifying at the Loket circuit in the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Herlings dislocated his hip during the crash and, as already confirmed by his team manager Dirk Groebel after Sunday’s MXGP of Czech Republic, the Dutch rider and two-time MX2 World Champion will not ride again in 2015.

While Herlings’ injury came as a blow to the Red Bull KTM Factory Team, Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports director has confirmed that he has received the best possible care by doctors in the Czech Republic and in Belgium, and he must now concentrate on his recovery process.

“We are all of course disappointed that we will not have the chance to see Jeffrey race again in 2015, but now his only task is to concentrate on getting completely well and only when he’s one hundred percent healed and this is confirmed by his medical team, will he be able to start preparing his fitness and eventual bike training for the 2016 season,” Beirer said.

“As it is with all our riders, Jeffrey’s health and well-being are our biggest priorities. He has the mental strength to overcome this injury setback and he now needs to apply all of that strength to getting well again.”

After receiving treatment by the medical crew on the circuit, Herlings was transported by ambulance to the hospital in nearby Karlovy Vary where doctors successfully re-engaged the dislocated hip. He was then transported on Sunday by medical jet to Belgium to be treated by Dr. Toon Claes, the renowned specialist for motocross injuries at the Sint Elisabeth Hospital in Herentals.

As it had also been established by doctors that there was a small chip of bone in the hip joint as a result of the crash, the assistance of orthopedic hip specialist Dr. Filiep Bataille was also called in to remove it.

The factory team wishes to thank both Dr. Claes, and especially Dr. Filiep Bataille, who kindly interrupted his summer holiday to allow the team to fly him back to perform the special procedure.