Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Popular SX2 contender Hayden Mellross will remain sidelined for this weekend’s Monster Energy AUS-X Open at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, however will still be in attendance to sign autographs and meet with fans.

The DPH Motorsport Yamaha ace suffered a devastating blow at Bacchus Marsh’s second round of the Australian Supercross Championship, resulting in internal injuries that would ultimately keep him out of round three along with this weekend’s double-header.

“I can’t explain how much I wish I was racing this weekend,” Mellross commented. “I love this sport, and to not line up at the biggest race on calendar kills me, but the body is not quite 100 percent ready.

“I know my bike will be used as the Whip Bike, and the new colour scheme looks unreal, so since I can’t ride it, make sure you come down and send it sideways for me.”

The Victorian-based outfit will continue to field Wilson Todd in SX2 and Kade Mosig in the premier class, with both riders set to debut a special one-off livery for Saturday and Sunday’s edition of the AUS-X Open.