Image: Rhys van Slooten.

Following the detection of two hairline fractures in his pelvis, KTM Motocross Racing Team rider Jesse Dobson will sit out this weekend’s third round of the MX Nationals championship at Broadford.

The injury, which saw Dobson withdraw from race two at the second round of the championship at Appin, was sustained during training several days before that event, and only subsequent x-rays revealed its severity.

Fortunately for Dobson the breaks occurred in a non weight bearing part of the pelvis, so his recovery should be relatively quick, and he hopes to be able to rejoin the team in time for the fourth round of the MX Nationals at Murray Bridge on 22 May.

“I was really starting to find my groove after a very hectic start to the season, but I had a crash before Appin and the bike ran me over,” said Dobson. “I thought I’d just pulled the muscles in my groin and went to Appin and tried to race, but it just wasn’t possible. I got scans and X-rays and it showed two breaks in my pelvis, on the bone that the hamstrings attach to.

“Luckily it wasn’t a weight bearing bone so I can still walk and carry on with my activities. But it’s one of the trickiest injuries I’ve had pain wise – it’s really difficult to do anything. So for about the last week and a half I’ve been pretty much laying in bed trying to heal up.”

Dobson, a fill-in rider on the factory KTM team for the injured Luke Styke, feels taking the safe option and sitting out this weekend’s event will allow him to bounce back for the 22 May round.

“On the bright side, it’s only normally a four to six weeks thing, and I’m confident that with my nutrition and diet that I’ll be back nice and healthy for Murray Bridge,” he added. “It’s disappointing to give it a miss this weekend, and I could try to race, but we are far better off not being silly about it, and coming back healthy on the softer surfaces.”

The KTM Motocross Racing Team will field a two-rider team at this weekend’s event with defending MX1 champion Kirk Gibbs and current MX2 championship leader Caleb Ward under the awning.