Image: Ethan Cox.

Triple Australian MX1 champion Dean Ferris is recovering in hospital on the Sunshine Coast after being seriously injured while practicing at Conondale on Saturday.

The Recover8 KTM Thor rider was stabilised and air-lifted from the Queensland circuit in a serious, but stable condition, according to the team.

Ferris has been diagnosed with ‘several fractured ribs and vertebrae’, an announcement confirmed this afternoon, and will be transported to Brisbane Hospital for further treatment and evaluation during the next week.

“The Recover8 KTM Thor racing team can confirm that three-time MX Nationals champion and MX1 team rider Dean Ferris was injured yesterday, Saturday, 8th August, whilst practicing at the Conondale circuit in QLD,” a statement read.

“Directly following the incident, Dean was air-lifted to a local hospital where he was stabilised for symptoms of back and rib pain. Dean has suffered several broken ribs and fractured vertebrae and is in a stable, but serious condition.

“We will announce further updates accordingly regarding Deans progress as his recovery develops and more information becomes available. Dean and Renae would like to take this time to thank all those involved at the Connondale club for helping Dean following the crash and also everyone for their phone calls and support.”

Further information on the status of Ferris’ condition is to be relayed by the Recover8-backed team once available. The Kyogle rider has been based in Queensland to contest the Sunshine State Motocross Series, winning the Gympie round last weekend.

After clinching three-straight Australian Motocross Championship titles with CDR Yamaha between 2016-2018, Ferris completed a partial season with Monster Energy Yamaha in the US last year.

Following a mutual separation with the team midway through the Pro Motocross season, Ferris joined forces with Raceline Performance and had been signed to contest the Australian championship with Recover8 KTM Thor prior to the pandemic and this latest injury setback.

It’s not clear when the 2020 season will commence domestically, with Motorcycling Australia (MA) still determining the series structure following the exit of former promoter Williams Event Management (WEM).

Director of WEM, Kevin Williams, is now the brand and business development manager of Raceline Performance and is an integral part of the RecoveR8 KTM Thor program that Ferris currently rides for.

“During this time Dean and Renae will not be taking any calls to solely focus on Dean’s recovery and we will release more information to the public accordingly once it becomes available to us,” Williams stated.