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A fractured left hand from press day in Houston will rule Austin Forkner out for at least the next two rounds of Monster Energy Supercross, potentially ending his time in 450SX after leading Triumph’s factory TF 450-X development through the early stages of season 2026.

Initially scheduled to contest 250SX East, the 27-year-old was drafted into the premier class line-up at the 11th hour during December in place of the injured Jordon Smith.

This latest injury underlines what has been a troubled opening four rounds for the pairing, with Forkner now in a race against time ahead of a potential switch back to the eastern division that will begin in Arlington on February 21.

“After his fall during press day, the Missouri native [Forkner] sustained a fracture to his left hand and will be placed in a cast for the next two weeks,” the team announced. “The injury will be assessed on a week-by-week basis moving forward.”

It remains unclear how the Triumph Factory Racing team will approach the upcoming rounds of Monster Energy Supercross in Glendale and Seattle, with Smith expected to make his 450SX debut at round seven in Arlington, where Jalek Swoll will be on track in 250SX East.