Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

MX Nationals runner-up Kirk Gibbs will miss an opportunity to represent Australia at this month’s 2016 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Italy after breaking his femur this morning.

The 2015 MX1 national champion was slated to make his first appearance for Team Australia at Maggiora on 25 September as our MXGP entry, however an incident while preparing for supercross has ruled him out.

While details on the specifics remain scarce, it’s understood KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Gibbs was in the early stages of supercross practice at his Queensland Moto Park facility when he sustained the injury and is now currently hospitalised in Brisbane.

It’s anticipated that former grand prix regular and podium finisher Todd Waters, who placed third in the MX1 standings this season, will now be drafted into Team Australia alongside newly-crowned MX1 champion Dean Ferris and MX2 title winner Jed Beaton.

Stay tuned for more.