Source: Supplied.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser is set to make his return to the 2017 MXGP World Championship this weekend in Italy after sitting out the Russian round of the series due to a broken shoulder-blade.

Sustaining the injury at the Teutschenthal event in Germany, the defending world champion made the decision to forego valuable championship points in Russia in order to make a speedy recovery and finish out the season healthy.

Making his return at the Ottobiano circuit, the Slovenian racer looks forward to the sandy event and expects to be back to his regular form following multiple weeks of recovery and treatment.

“I am really looking forward to coming back this weekend,” said Gajser. “It was really difficult having to miss a race to allow myself to heal but I now see it was the best thing for me. I like Ottobiano as I enjoy racing in the sand, now I feel ready to come back fighting and ride like I know I can.”

After a challenging start to his 2017 championship defence, Gajser now sits 120 points behind current series leader and eight-time world champion Antonio Cairoli.