KTM's test rider Mika Kallio has been ruled out for seven to eight weeks after breaking his leg in an ice road race crash in his native Finland over the weekend. In footage posted on his Instagram, the 38-year-old lost control and was thrown off track before suffering a fractured tibia and fibula when coming to a sudden stop.
The Finn wasn't due to ride at the upcoming Qatar Test, with Dani Pedrosa the sole KTM test rider on the entry list, but the two-month absence could halt any plans the Austrian factory had to organise private tests in Europe throughout March and April.
"Tibia and fibula surgery awaits," said Kallio on Instagram. "Unfortunately, sometimes a small stupid mistake has painful consequences. Not what I had in my mind for today’s ice road race, I will be forced off bikes for 7 to 8 weeks to recover. Apologies to those concerned, this is the darker side of racing, even as a hobby."