MX1 title contender Hayden Mellross suffered a feared knee injured just three laps into practice at Moree’s Pirelli MX Nationals, where he was forced to sit out qualifying and will now undergo further medical evaluation.

Mellross believes he hyperextended his knee during the early stages of practice at the New South Wales venue, prompting him to exit the circuit immediately and visit Race Safe.

He returned for the opening moto, albeit with the final gate pick, however was evidently hindered by the injury as he salvaged an 11th place result. The event, which was shortened to just one moto after the local hospital reached its capacity, ultimately played into the number 45’s favour.

“It was a crazy incident, I guess,” Mellross told MotoOnline.com.au. “I wasn’t even pushing – I think it was only the third lap of practice and I was just cruising – but the Moree track, the dirt is really heavy, so I just got weighed down and I didn’t anticipate the front to push – I put my leg out and hyperextended it.

“I felt something pop – I’ve never injured my knee before – so it was something new to me. I thought straightaway the best bet was to go in and see Race Safe, make a plan and try and attack the motos. It was quite sore at the time.

“I strapped it up and iced it, and they gave a little verdict on what they thought it was. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to ride to my capabilities, but I was able to salvage a decent result and stay in the hunt.

“Race Safe didn’t want to say for sure what the injury is, but I’m booked in to see a doctor in Melbourne – they’ve pulled a few strings to help, get some MRI scans and get a final verdict. Regardless of what it is, I’m going to show up at Coolum. It would be nice to have diagnosis so we can do we can to be as ready as possible for Coolum.”

Mellross is now positioned third in the championship standings, 12 points shy of Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) and 14 points behind leader Todd Waters (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) as Coolum’s double-header finale looms this weekend.