Rattray`s hopes ended by injury.

Red Bull Champ KTM rider Tyla Rattray will miss the remainder of the MX2 FIM World Championship after an MRI scan revealed that he has torn the ACL in his right knee.

The Grand Prix of Flanders winner will go under the knife today (Wednesday) in Belgium and will have to rest for three weeks before starting a three to four-month rehab period. The ligament had been torn in two, the lateral ligaments had also been stretched and the MRI showed damage to the meniscus and cartilage.

The news is a further blow to the Champ squad who have already lost Marc de Reuver for the campaign when the Dutchman snapped all three ligaments during a pre-season international race. They now field one rider in the form of Britain's Carl Nunn although KTM are working on a contingency plan.

For Rattray it is the latest unfortunate incident in a chain of events including a leg infection and dislocated shoulder since the GP series began at the start of April.

"I am so disappointed," sighed the South African. "This was going to be my year. My fitness and confidence were at an all-time high and I knew I would be going directly for the title.

"I won't be riding any more GPs now," he added. "I do not want to come back and only be fighting for tenth position because my condition or speed on the bike is not good enough. The plan now is to get strong for 2006."

The fifth round of the 2005 world championship takes place this weekend at Teutschenthal for the Grand Prix of Germany.