Image: Supplied.

Sunday’s MXGP of Latvia proved to be a damaging one for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli, as the pair had their weekend cut short due to sustaining injuries.

Reigning champion Herlings, who was making just his second MXGP of the year after a severe ankle injury, suffered a bizarre sighting lap crash that saw his fragile right foot landed on by another rider.

Despite experiencing discomfort, Herlings went onto record his first win of the year in the opening moto, however it was later determined he endured a hairline fracture of the lower tibia, prompting the Dutchman to depart the circuit for further medical attention and not line-up for race two.

Cairoli, entering the event under the weather, crashed heavily in race two after claiming third in the opening moto, dislocating his already injured right shoulder.

“On Saturday I had the Flu and a fever, and my arm was not as strong as I wanted after the crash in Russia,” Cairoli explained. “I could battle with the guys for first position in the first moto but then I got a bit tired and settled for third, which was good for the championship.

“In the second moto I was fourth and trying to follow [Arnaud] Tonus. I had quite a big crash and when I stood up I felt my shoulder was out. My hope is to be ready to at least start next week in Germany. I don’t want to give up at all and I want to be there as much as possible for the championship.”

It’s unclear at this stage if the duo will miss this weekend’s 10th round of the MXGP World Championship at Teutschenthal in Germany.