Image: Supplied.

HEP Motorsports has confirmed that Max Anstie will miss the opening portion of Monster Energy Supercross after injuring his lower back while training this week.

Anstie impressed outdoors last season with Twisted Tea Suzuki and had been looking forward to making his 450SX debut in Houston prior to this latest upset.

“Twisted Tea Suzuki regrets to inform you team racer Max Anstie of Winchester, United Kingdom, will miss the opening rounds of the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross series,” a brief statement by HEP Motorsports confirmed. ”

“A crash during his final practice day leading up to the Houston opener resulted in a lower back injury. Please wish Max well in his recovery and potentially see him back competing on the track as soon as Indianapolis.”

A former MXGP front-runner with only a limited amount of experience in Supercross, Anstie had been one of the unknown prospects leading into Saturday’s opening round. He will instead potentially debut at Indianapolis from round four.

Anstie is one of a few major names expected to be missing round one, with Shane McElrath (Smartop Bullfrog Spas MotoConcepts Honda) and Tyler Bowers – unable to find enough support – currently sidelined. McElrath, however, is still considering an attempt to ride on Saturday.