Image: Supplied.

Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso is facing a race against time to be fit for the 2020 MotoGP World Championship opener after breaking his collarbone in a motocross event over the weekend.

Dovizioso was competing in Faenza, Italy, when the incident occurred. The 34-year-old has since opted to undergo surgery to have a plate inserted in a bid to be fit for the season restart next month.

“After suffering a crash during a motocross race in Faenza, Andrea Dovizioso has sustained a left collarbone injury,” the statement read. “After consultation with Prof. Porcellini, Dovi has decided to proceed with surgery this evening in Modena to be fit in time for the start of the 2020 MotoGP season.”

The 2020 MotoGP World Championship is due to commence at Jerez on 19 July, the first of two-consecutive weekends at the Spanish circuit and marking the beginning of a reduced 13-round season as the sport works its way through the COVID-19 postponement.