Valkenswaard is always tough and the freezing temperatures and soft, rutted track made it even tougher this year with Tommy Searle breaking his left collarbone.

The Bike It DRT Kawasaki rider crashed first turn of today’s opening MXGP race. Searle, who’s had more than his fair share of injuries over the past few seasons, had qualified ninth on Saturday and was hoping to build on this after missing almost the entire 2017 season with a knee injury.

Early reports are that he’s having the break plated tonight and will be aiming to be back in action as soon as possible. There are no softies in this sport.