Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton has admitted lingering soreness from a heavy crash in Portugal is what prompted him to sit out the weekend’s MXGP of France at Saint Jean d’Angely.

The Australian was lucky to escape serious injury at the MXGP of Portugal when he was run over multiple times in a frightening crash, however he was still feeling the effects of the incident by the time France’s seventh stop of the series rolled around.

Winding up 20th in timed practice, the Australian lacked enough strength to take on a pair of gruelling motos, forcing him into the difficult decision of withdrawing from the event.

“Pretty devastated about this weekend, still feeling pretty sore from last weekend’s second moto crash in Portugal,” Beaton explained. “I tried riding warm-up and timed practice but my riding wasn’t anywhere near where I want it to be and had no strength, so we decided to sit out the races on Sunday.

“[I’m] trying to get back to 100 percent before Russia and get this season properly started. Thanks to the people that stick behind me.”

It’s been a challenging season so far for the Tasmanian, having missed the opening round of the series after fracturing multiple vertebrae, cancelling the momentum he built up throughout the pre-season.