Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team‰Ûªs David Philippaerts is unable to contest the 64th Motocross of Nations for Italy at Thunder Valley, Lakewood, Colorado on September 26th after suffering a second-degree strain of the media lateral ligament in his right knee.
In another late development less than two weeks before the meeting team-mate Gautier Paulin will represent France in the MX1 category with a works YZ450FM and is currently testing in Italy.
Philippaerts had been called up for selection last Saturday at Fermo during his home Grand Prix to turn-out for his country for the sixth time at the biggest event of the season but upon entering a hard rut at speed in the second moto twisted his right leg. Philippaerts was able to complete the race and confirm his third position in the FIM MX1-GP World Championship on the factory YZ450FM but went immediately back to his home north of Milan for a medical opinion.
A scan yesterday revealed the damage that will not require an operation but needs the 2008 world champion to rest for a period of twenty days before he can then begin light cycling and running with a view towards improved fitness for the team‰Ûªs planned off-season testing schedule.
‰ÛÏThis is the last thing I wanted to happen because the news at Fermo that we could go and race for our country was fantastic for us and all the fans,‰Û
