Source: Supplied.

Wilvo Standing Construct Yamaha Official MX2 Team rider Aleksandr Tonkov will sit out this weekend’s Latvian MXGP Latvia event to recover from an injury sustained during a training crash in Belgium this week.

Tonkov, currently fourth in the 2016 MX2 FIM World Championship standings, bruised his back on Tuesday while training for the Kegums event and immediately underwent scans showing severe bruising to his back according to team manager Tim Mathys.

“Aleksandr went to the hospital in Neerpelt where they did some x-rays and a scan,” said Mathys. “Nothing is broken, but he severely bruised his back. “Yesterday he went to Dr. Claes who advised to not ride in Latvia to give the body time to heal. Unfortunately crashing and injuries are also a part of racing.”

Tonkov will travel to Latvia to with medical consent to stay in contact with sponsors and fans as upright movement is considered positive therapy for this type of injury.

Tonkov will remain under observation as he recovers and his status for round seven in Germany will be decided after further evaluation of the injury.