A number of top Monster Energy MX Nationals contenders saw their day end in disaster at Wonthaggi, with injuries across the board in the MX1 and MX2 classes.

Hardest hit was the Zero Seven Motorsports outfit, with Cody Mackie (MX1) and Kade Mosig (MX2) both injured in their respective opening motos.

Mackie crashed heavily at the close of moto one, injuring his right ankle and taking no further part in the event.

“That was one of the biggest [crashes] I’ve ever had,” said Mackie. “I was in fourth gear almost flat out and I just hit a section of mud which pitched the bike sideways. To be honest I’m just glad I wasn’t more badly hurt.”

Teammate Mosig was knocked unconscious when hit from behind by a number of bikes after Josh Cachia crashed in front of the pack.

Scans have revealed a small fracture in Mosig’s L2 vertebrae, an injury expected to sideline him for some time.

“I’m obviously devastated by this, especially when I didn’t fall due to any mistake of my own initially,” said Mosig. “Still, this is the reality of Motocross so I’ll go home and focus on getting better and back stronger than ever.”

The teammates will undergo further examination towards the end of the week to determine the extent of their injuries and a timeframe for their return.

Local favourite Cheyne Boyd also joined the injury roster, taken out of the running as he sought to complete a solid weekend on what is now a self-funded privateer entry.

Boyd was getting set to chase down Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont when the pairing came across the stricken CDR Yamaha of Billy Mackenzie.

Marmont darted left, and Boyd’s split-second decision to go right would ultimately end in disaster.

“I was in a bit of a battle with Marmont, it was coming towards the end and I was really trying to pick it up and finish off strong,” recalls Boyd. “Billy Mackenzie had gone down in front of us, and we both went separate ways.

“Jay went left, I went right, and at the same time Mackenzie has dumped the clutch and ridden into me. The first thing that made contact was the handlebars into my ribs, then I banged my left arm and got taken off the back off the bike.”

Boyd sustained a number of fractured ribs and significant bruising as a result, and was frustrated at the outcome given a positive run to that point.

“I was disappointed and fairly pissed off. I was having a decent day, going pretty well given my limited program, and to be taken off and ending up in hospital because of someone else’s mistake is disappointing.”

Boyd is aiming for a return to the track for the fifth round of the MX Nationals where he plans to contest the Vets 30-39 class.