Image: Supplied.

A severe bout of food poisoning is what forced Thomas Kjer Olson to withdraw from the MXGP of Turkey last weekend, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing ace still securing runner-up honours in the MX2 World Championship.

Kjer Olsen came down with the illness on Friday before electing to complete a lap of the qualification race in order to make himself eligible for Sunday’s pair of motos, however his condition didn’t improve in time and he ultimately sat out the day’s racing.

“It’s been a very tough weekend for me,” said Kjer Olsen. “Without giving too many details I was extremely ill all Friday night, also with a very high temperature. I knew that if I completed one-lap of my qualifying race I could, if I felt okay, try and race on Sunday, which is what I did.

“I gave my all in the first moto today, but I just had no power in my muscles. The track was fast and it was just too risky to continue. It’s really disappointing but I hope I can recover and be ready to finish the season with strong results in China.”

The MXGP World Championship wraps up in Shangai, China, this weekend. Kjer Olsen will also represent Denmark at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) on 28-29 September at Assen in the Netherlands.