Gennaro Utech has revealed on Instagram that he was forced to miss the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship after suffering a shoulder injury during the EMX125 round in Águeda, Portugal.

The Italian was involved in a collision with another rider during the second moto and crashed heavily, dislocating his shoulder. Although he managed to pop the shoulder back into place himself, he decided not to take any risks and skipped the Junior World Championship to avoid further damage or another dislocation.

Utech is expected to return to action next weekend at the Rookies Cup Final in Faenza, where he currently leads the championship standings. His return to the EMX125 European Championship is scheduled for the following weekend at the Foxhill round in Great Britain.