Image: Supplied.

A replacement rider has been named at Red Bull KTM in place of MXGP world champion Jeffrey Herlings, with Mathys Boisrame drafted in ahead of the delayed opener at Matterley Basin.

The announcement follows a training crash that saw Herlings require surgery to fix a broken heel bone in his left foot and the postponement of the MXGP of Great Britain, enabling Boisrame further time to test the 450 SX-F.

“When they postponed the British grand prix another week, this gave us and Mathys a little more time to do some riding and further testing and it became clear that we could bring him into the team already for the first round, ” Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team manager Joel Smets said.

“Jeffrey is unique – it’s impossible to find another rider like him – but we can appreciate Mathys’ speed and his determination. He has already shown that he can run fast and strong at grand prix level. It’s a good chance for him and some important track miles for us.”

Boisrame, who is a former European champion and MX2 grand prix podium finisher, made his debut in the MXGP category across the final five rounds of 2021 with Monster Energy Kawasaki as a fill-in rider and posted four top 10 moto results.