Image: Octopi Media.

After an early exit from SMX Playoff 2 in St. Louis last weekend, Austin Forkner has undergone surgery on a torn meniscus, sustained during the opening 250SMX qualifying session.

The Triumph Factory Racing rider posted a fifth-place finish in Charlotte, before the knee injury left Forkner sidelined altogether at The Dome at America’s Center.

Forkner has since undergone surgery, confirming that his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) wasn’t damaged upon dabbing his leg, and that his sights will now shift to Monster Energy Supercross 2026.

“Unfortunately, just as I thought – I had a pretty big bucket handle tear in my medial meniscus,” commented Forkner. “Luckily, [my] ACL was okay –I had it fixed a few days ago and I’ll be back soon.”

A statement from Triumph Factory Racing added: “After dabbing his knee during practice at the second SMX Playoff in St. Louis, Austin Forkner has undergone surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear.

“The 27-year-old Missouri native is now on the road to recovery and will focus on returning to full fitness as he prepares for the 2026 Supercross season.”

In his first full season with the storied British manufacturer, Forkner was ranked 11th in the 250SX East division of Monster Energy Supercross, before claiming 17th in the Pro Motocross Championship’s 250MX class.