MX1 newcomer Aaron Tanti has been forced out of this weekend’s Penrite ProMX opener at Wonthaggi as he continues to recover from a pre-season wrist injury.

Tanti, 24, underwent surgery on a broken bone in his wrist – understood to be his scaphoid – and had been hoping to make round one, but instead will debut in Canberra.

In revealing the GasGas Racing Team’s 2021 livery today, it’s been clarified that Tanti’s anticipated first premier class appearance riding the factory MC 450F has been put on hold until he is further recovered over this coming month.

“A few weeks back I had a practice injury and had to undergo minor surgery on my wrist,” Tanti confirmed. “We were hoping I could be back for this round, but unfortunately I’m not 100 percent healed and it wouldn’t be ideal to start the season with minimal bike time either.

“We’ll instead get ready for round two, which I will most definitely be back for, so it’s disappointing obviously, but I am excited for my debut with the GasGas Racing Team. The ProMX series looks great with the live TV, so I can’t wait to get out there in the stacked MX1 class, and I think my speed was good prior to the injury.

“Everything with GasGas has been positive for me so far, I’ve had a couple of months on the MC 450F and am really excited to get going once I’m back to full fitness again.”

Although disappointed in having to sit out the season-opener, Tanti has quickly adapted to the GasGas MC 450F during training prior to his injury and will be eager to get amongst the MX1 premier class with the GasGas Racing Team once that opportunity arrives next month.