Image: Supplied.

MX2 world champion Tom Vialle was forced to the sidelines at the Maggiora Park circuit, with complications from a fractured right hand leaving him unable to complete the MXGP of Italy.

The Frenchman’s injury is the result of an accident in the lead-up to the MXGP of Great Britain, which saw Vialle have a head-on collision with another rider, subsequently damaging his right hand.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star made an attempt to return to competition at the Italian GP and while he was able to complete slower laps in practice, multiple laps at race pace attacking the downhill descents and long ruts proved too much for the Italian rider.

“I had a lot of pain in the practice session,” Vialle stated. “When I was riding quite slowly it was okay, but after a few laps of the race, it was too much. We will have to see how the hand will be for Holland.”

The MXGP of Italy marks the second GP in succession that the 20-year-old has been unable to complete, with Vialle forced to sit out Matterley Basin the weekend prior.

Vialle now trails points leader and teammate Mattia Guadagnini by 63 points and will be hoping to make a return at the MXGP of The Netherlands on 25 July to ensure he can get his MX2 title defence back on track.