The HRC Honda team will start the season with no MXGP riders following the news that former world champ Tim Gajser is set to miss the opening round in Argentina in 11 days following his crash at Mantova in Italy last week. Although his bikes have been shipped to the race, his father Bogo says it will take Tim up to a month to get riding again so his first GP will be at Valkenswaard in Holland for round two on March 18.

His 450 team-mate Brian Bogers is still not riding following his off-season injury, so it seems there will be no HRC 450 Hondas at the first GP.

Gajser crashed heavily at Mantova on Sunday in his first race of the year. He landed heavily and broke his jaw, which has been operated on.