American-based Aussie Michael Byrne has been ruled out of the MXoN. Image: Simon Cudby.

Queenslander Michael Byrne suffered a broken leg at the Unadilla round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship over the weekend, ruling him out of Australia’s Motocross of Nations selection.

Byrne has revealed on Twitter that he was poised to take up the MX1 role for Team Australia at Lommel in Belgium on 30 September, but has now been put out of the event with a broken tibia.

It was believed that Byrne would count for experience in Team Australia at the MXoN in 2012, since Chad Reed and Brett Metcalfe have both been ruled out due to consequences from their own injuries suffered earlier this year.

“Man so bummed about yesterday talk about a all time high to a low,” Byrne wrote via @Byrner26. “Didn’t even crash just caught my foot in a rutted roller section. Going to the doc tomorrow to get CT and MRI scans, already had X-rays and I have a broken tib so fingers crossed on everything else.

“Thanks everybody for all the great supportive tweets, I have been definitely been feeling really great on the bike again. Also bummed for the Australian MXoN team as I was suppose to ride the MX1 class for at Lommel this year. Was really looking forward to that.”

Byrne’s injury will now likely promote CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping into the team, which is scheduled to be announced by Motorcycling Australia this week, according to sources at Moree’s MX Nationals round on Sunday.

Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Todd Waters and Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Luke Styke have also been linked to the team, making for an all-Australian based development squad if speculation proves accurate.