Image: Foremost Media.

Reigning Hattah Desert Race number one Mason Semmens has been denied a shot at his title defence in next month’s 2024 edition, injured while training for the high-profile Victorian event.

Semmens, who is currently leading both the American National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) and WORCS series in the 250 class, had returned home for Hattah, but sustained major ankle and foot injuries over the weekend.

“Blink of an eye everything can change,” Semmens confirmed. “Unfortunately I had a practice crash on Saturday, leaving me with a severe dislocation and multiple fractures to my right ankle/foot. Won’t get to defend that #1 this year at the Hattah Desert Race, but hoping I can get there. As for the rest of the year, time will tell!”

Both NGPC and WORCS are currently in their traditional summer break, not set to resume until September, which places RPM Racing KTM team regular Semmens in a race against time to be fit to race-on to continue his challenge for the championships.

Semmens was the class of the Hattah Desert Race in 2023 to earn a first-career victory overall, winning ahead of Jack Simpson – who will lead the ShopYamaha Off-Road Racing program this year – and GasGas-backed Korey McMahon. This year’s Hattah Desert Race will take place between July 5-7.