Motorex KTM’s Todd Waters was forced out of last weekend’s King of the Cross event in Western Australia after a crash during moto three caused concern over his troublesome collarbone injury.

Waters sustained the injury during the mid-season break of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, immediately undergoing surgery and since struggling through the Appin and Hervey Bay rounds.

After losing to red plate to arch-rival Matt Moss during round seven of the outdoors a fortnight ago, Waters opted out of the King of the Cross to focus on the national remainder.

“Not my best day today,” Waters lamented. “I’d already pitted in the first race to straighten my brake pedal, then in the third race I came from sixth and caught up to [Jay] Marmont, but the dust had gotten really bad if you weren’t leading.

“His engine blew up on the down ramp of a jump and dumped its oil and I landed in it and my bike washed out on me. I hit the deck and jarred my collarbone, which gave me a scare.

“I realised I’d be silly to put my nationals chances at risk when I’m out of contention here. If it was a national I’d have been out there with bells on, but I’ve got bigger fish to fry in a week’s time, so I decided not to put myself at risk.”

The King of the Cross weekend was won by Waters’ rookie Motorex KTM MX1 teammate Kirk Gibbs in his first appearance at the popular event.

Waters enters this weekend’s Swan Hill round of the MX Nationals two points in arrears of Moss with just three rounds remaining.