Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Penrite Honda Racing’s Gavin Faith has confirmed he’ll return to America immediately to have his injured wrist operated on, ruling him out of the remaining rounds of the Australian Supercross Championship despite holding a two-point lead in the SX2 standings.

The two-time SX2 champion initially injured his wrist during a heat race at Bacchus Marsh’s second round in Victoria, where he ultimately went onto win the main event that night.

He continued to push through the pain at Virginia’s third stop last weekend in South Australia, recovering from a poor start to wind up in fifth. However, the American said the pain has become unbearable, forcing him to exit the series.

“Unfortunately I’m heading back to America today to get my wrist operated on,” Faith said in a statement on social media. “I had a bad crash in my heat race a few weeks ago in Bacchus Marsh, breaking my wrist and tearing four ligaments.

“As much as I want to keep racing and hang on to the red plate, the pain has gotten to be unbearable and I need to look out for my own heath. I want to thank everyone that has been a part of the program.”

The departure of Faith certainly leaves the SX2 title wide open, as just 11 points separates the first four riders ahead of Sydney’s Monster Energy AUS-X Open on 11-12 November, marking rounds four and five of the championship.