DPH Motorsport Husqvarna’s Hayden Mellross has revealed a practice crash just days before Jimboomba’s opening round of the Australian Supercross Championship at the weekend resulted in broken toes across both of his feet.

The New South Welshman explained he was moments away from being booked into surgery, however elected to board his flight to Queensland in favour of attempting to complete the day’s racing.

In what was his debut aboard Husqvarna machinery, the number 45 salvaged a healthy fourth place finish, which puts him in a strong position to battle for the crown in the short five-stop series.

“What a crazy few days it’s been,” Mellross commented. “On Thursday prior to the season opening race I had a practice crash, which unfortunately resulted in me breaking my big toes on my left and right foot.

“The doctor was scheduling me to get it operated on Friday morning but we opted out and decided to jump on a plane and go race for the championship. I of all people understand the saying ‘anything can happen’ and being able to leave round one in fourth with solid points feels like a win to me.”

Mellross now has three weeks to recover before the Australian Supercross Championship returns to action at Coolum in Queensland on 6 October.