A devastating moment in the opening stages of Coolum’s SX1 main event has resulted in a heartbreaking leg injury for Nathan Crawford that will ultimately sideline him for the remainder of the Australian Supercross Championship.

In his first race back from a shoulder injury sustained in May, and his first appearance filling in for Dean Ferris at CDR Yamaha Monster Energy, Crawford awkwardly placed his leg down while challenging for second position, splitting the top of his tibia in the process before going down moments later.

It’s understood the popular Queenslander immediately underwent surgery on Monday to repair the damage, with doctors advising the number 199 to keep any load off the injury for a six-week period.

“I came off the last jump in a section a little off balance and landed with my foot on the ground,” Crawford explained. “The impact was hard enough to push my femur and tibia together and as a result, I have split the top of my tibia. That all happened before I even crashed so when I hit Brett, the injury was already done, and I was struggling with the pain of it.

“I had surgery on Monday and the doctors have said while it was ugly in there, they are happy with the outcome and things are looking good. I can’t put load on it for the next six weeks but they expect the leg to be 100 percent and I will then begin getting started on 2019.”

It’s a damaging blow for Crawford, who was tipped to be a championship favourite in 2018 before his campaign came undone at Wonthaggi’s double-header stop of the Pirelli MX Nationals.

With both Ferris and Crawford out for the season, it’s unclear if the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy outfit will source another replacement for the final three rounds.