Reigning MX2 world champion Jorge Prado has undergone surgery on a broken left femur, which he sustained while training at the Malagrotta circuit in Italy this week.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider will step up to the MXGP ranks from 2020, however, preparations will now be put on hold has he recovers into the new year.

“This is bad news and we feel so sorry for Jorge,” commented Red Bull KTM team manager Claudio De Carli. “Things had been going well and he was just two laps away from the end of the training session. It was raining at Malagrotta and you need to have a good control of the bike to make one of the biggest jumps on the track.

“Jorge could not grip the plastic well, his foot slipped off the footpeg on the ramp and he crashed over the jump. He had surgery yesterday evening by a fantastic doctor that we know and trust.

“Now, we have to wait a few days to see if everything is correct before he can leave the hospital. It is a setback to our preparation, but the important thing is that Jorge heals well and then can think again about his first season in the MXGP class.”

The 18-year-old is expected to leave the ward in two days if initial signs are positive and start rehabilitation to make his MXGP debut as early as possible next season.

Prado’s first 450 class appearance came at Assen’s Motocross of Nations in September, taking Team Spain to ninth in the Nations classification after recording 3-7 results for fourth overall in the MXGP division.