Image: Supplied.

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf’s anticipated MXGP debut has been delayed, with a thumb injury sustained during the pre-season ruling him out of the opening round of the 2026 season in Argentina.

The former MX2 world champion crashed early in the opening race at the International of Sommieres in France, before remounting and working his way towards the front, only to fall again with two laps remaining.

It resulted in ligament damage to his thumb, forcing him to withdraw from the remainder of the weekend and to seek further medical evaluations. Those confirmed the extent of de Wolf’s injury, requiring surgery that has already been completed.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be making my MXGP debut this weekend and I will be missing the first round of the season,” he commented. “In Sommieres, I went down on the start, then actually worked my way up to the front, and with two laps to go, I went down [again].

“I hurt my thumb, immediately it didn’t feel really good, so I skipped the race and then went home and went to the doctor for a check-up on Tuesday. I ended up doing the ligament in my thumb and we had to get surgery. We had surgery last week on Wednesday, and after that, I straightaway flew to Madrid.

“I’ve been in Madrid for a little bit over a week to do recovery and rehab on my thumb. I really want to thank those guys who helped me. It’s been a pleasure working with them and they really, really helped me, so I can’t thank them enough.

“But unfortunately, I went to Lommel today and my thumb wasn’t strong enough, which the doctor actually said it would not be. I was only meant to be able to take the cast off tomorrow, but yeah, we really went quick on this injury and we tried to do everything we could, but unfortunately I won’t make it in time for the Argentina GP, so I’ll be sitting this one out.

“I will be working on my rehab all the time and I will be coming back stronger. I’m really excited to go racing, but unfortunately I have to miss the first round. Hopefully I’ll be back in Spain at Almonte, so I’m really looking forward to that, and I will do everything I can to be ready.”