Tortelli out for two months.

Sebastien Tortelli's hopes of winning the 2006 MX1 Motocross World Championship have been ended by the news that the French superstar faces a two month recovery after dislocating his hip in last Sunday's Grand Prix of Portugal.

The factory KTM rider, who had returned from America to try and repeat his 1998 title victory over reigning nine-times world champion Stefan Everts, is currently being treated in the surgical department of the Lyon hospital.

Despite receiving quick medical attention at the side of the circuit following his race two fall, Tortelli is now expected to miss the next five grands prix to allow the overstrained ligaments in his hip area to recover. A scan has indicated that there are no other ligament or bone injuries.

"Of course on the one hand I am bitterly disappointed - especially for the team. They've always given me their full support," said the 28-year-old, who is scheduled to leave hospital today. "We were totally on track in Portugal and right up to my fall we were absolutely competitive. Fortunately I don't have any pain and I want to get back to my team and racing as soon as I can."

Despite the setback, which comes just weeks after Tortelli's team-mate Mickael Pichon was forced to surrender any championship chances through illness, KTM team boss Georges Jobe tried to remain positive.

"Even though we were shocked about Sebastien's accident and injury, working constantly to be up front and achieving a top result in Portugal means that we were right there where we wanted to be. Sebastien's injury is a setback but the current situation will bond the team and make us stronger," Jobe explained.

"Even after Sebastien's accident, which can happen to any rider in any race, the whole KTM team still totally dedicated to the coming races. Jonathan Barragan made a huge improvement in Portugal on his new bike and celebrated his first podium place. In particular, the development of the new 450 SX-F delivered excellent results and this was a big success for the whole team.

"Mickael Pichon, who unfortunately is out at the moment with some health problems is receiving full support from all the KTM team. Meanwhile the MX2 and MX3 Teams have more than demonstrated that we are on the right track and have been setting one record after another in their classes. And of course we are already looking forward to Sebastien's quick return to the team and racing," concluded the former five-times world champion.

The fourth round of the 2006 MX1 World Championship, the Grand Prix of Germany, will take place at Teutschenthal on May 6-7.