AMA 450 champ Dylan Ferrandis will sit out today’s opening US National at Pala after injuring his thumb in a test session at the track this week.

He said: “Unfortunately I had a small crash Tuesday and I hurt my left thumb, I thought it was minor sprain but the medical exam showed broken ligament with Steiner effect, which mean it will never recover without a surgery.

“I wanted to try to ride Saturday but without surgery in the few weeks the ligament can die and the damage can be irreversible for the rest of my career. We decide with the team to go for the surgery now to have me back at my full physical capacity as soon as possible that mean I will miss the beginning of the motocross season.

“I am at the saddest point of my career to have to miss a championship that I won last year and to not put the #1 plate where it belong, I worked so hard and invest everything I could to win again this championship, this sport is so ruthless, I have broken heart for my sponsor and people that help me I’m sorry.”