Source: Supplied.

Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin sustained multiple injuries in a practice crash at the sandy Lommel circuit in Belgium this week.

The French MXGP contender landed in a soft spot off a jump sending him over the handlebars resulting in a fractured vertebrae and a broken rib.

Paulin was immediately checked by a local motocross specialist and after initial inspections determined that the fracture appeared stable. He will continue to see his local specialist in the coming days to continue the assessment of his condition and road to recovery.

An expected MXGP return date is yet to be set for the current 11th overall rider in the premier class after two rounds of racing.