Just like that, we went from stadiums downtown with roofs and lights. To the wide-open spaces and unpredictable weather patterns of the Great Outdoors.
Motocross. The man’s version of dirtbike racing in this professional, televised, high-end racing world. Where the hotter it gets the more gnarly a rider is to win the overall.
With so many injuries in Supercross, I had high hopes of a lot of riders returning from injury to the outdoor series. To make it a stacked field and a hard-fought 12 rounds series. That, unfortunately, went out the window super quick at press day with the defending 450 champ Dylan Ferrandis going down with a major thumb injury. Something that depends on the approach taken by the surgeon and their post-op management plan. Could see the #1 plate not being on track for the entire series. I hope not but it may play out that way. We will have to monitor the recovery news of the Star Racing Yamaha rider.
Justin Cooper made a long-awaited return from his Lisfranc foot injury at Pala 1. His moto scores definitely suggested the previous year’s runner-up has some work to do. He may need another two rounds or so to be back to his race-winning best.
Joey Savatagy despite being announced as a fill-in at Monster Energy Kawasaki sat out the first round at Pala. No word if he is going to race Hangtown yet. But don’t be fooled. That ACL repair is as good this week as it was last and another week ain’t really making any difference to its overall strength. This decision would have been purely around comfort on the bike and race fitness. Something he would still be getting back after nearly 4 months on the sidelines.
Colt Nichols is back and riding. But he is probably another month away from making his return to the start gate. He had some significant injuries at Anaheim 1 and there is no rush for him to be out there for Motocross if he is unprepared.
Ken Roczen made his usual storming start to the season. Even with his mysterious Supercross season, this was still not a surprise to most. The question is will he make the entire season? Will he make it at 100% or will he fade as he has previously at the last 4 or so rounds? Time will tell.
Eli Tomac was back on the gate following his MCL injury at the end of Supercross. I hear people talking about his motivation for this championship and that he will use the knee injury as an excuse to stop the series early. Eli doesn’t strike me as a guy to just sit out with a fake injury. I suspect this opening few rounds Eli will have similar results. Just building back into things. But come round three I expect normal outdoor Eli in beast mode to return.
Hangtown is an interesting track this week and it presents the riders with some different challenges than the rest of the series with its layout and soil type being more hard-packed than other venues. Personally, I like the track having raced it myself and think that Antonio Cairoli might be a good pick this week if you’re in the #alwaysmotofantasyleague on pulpmx fantasy. We have some nice prizes up for grabs in our private league thanks to Coastal Motorcycle Centre, GoatBrandMX and False Neutral Industries. Come and join our league and try and win some free stuff!
As always, If your favorite rider is on this list, most likely they are seeing a doctor or been to the Emergency Department recently.
(David Hogan – @always.moto on Instagram)
Check out more in-depth conversations on all the injuries in our sport on the AlwaysMoto podcast on your favourite podcast app.
This list has who we know has an injury. What that injury is, as well as when we expect them back at the races. Maybe some extras if you’re lucky!
If we have missed a rider or got an injury update wrong let us know. alwaysmoto2019@gmail.com
THE INJURY LIST – GOING INTO ROUND 2 – HANGTOWN:
Austin Forkner #33 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 1 – Pala 1 (Sort of)
Injured What? Shoulder injury. Pending your source and which Instagram media outlet you read, this may be a labral tear and he is going in for surgery. I have good word he may be out for some time.
Return to Riding Timeframe – If a labral tear and surgery are required. This is usually an 8-12wks recovery timeframe.
Next race prediction – Potentially out for Outdoors pending specialist post-op protocol
Cameron Mcadoo #48 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 1 – Pala 1
Injured What? Broken Sternum and bleeding in lungs
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks.
Next race prediction – Round 7 at Millville pending sternum recovery.
Jalek Swoll #31 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Injured When? Round 1 – Pala 1
Injured What? Unknown. The team and rider have not released any information
Return to Riding Timeframe – unknown until race day at Hangtown when we might hear further details.
Next race prediction – TBC
Dylan Ferrandis #1 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Press Day Round one, Pala 1
Injured What? Right Ulnar collateral ligament – Thumb
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12wks pending surgeons post-op protocol.
Next race prediction – Round 9 – Unadilla at best. May be out for the season.
Ongoing from Supercross 2022
Luke Neese #75 – SGB Honda
Injured When? Round 15 – Foxborough
Injured What? Fractured scaphoid in his wrist.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Luke confirmed with AlwaysMoto on our podcast that he had surgery on Friday 29/4/22 and will then be out for about 6-8wks.
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 6 or later.
Phil Nicoletti #715 – ClubMX Yamaha
Injured When? Round 14 – Atlanta
Injured What? Fractured Ulna
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – Phil will miss the early rounds of outdoors pending surgery progress. Expect rounds 3-4 of the Outdoors for his return.
Dean Wilson #15 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Injured When? Round 13 – St. Louis
Injured What? Laceration to Butt. Resulting in a laceration to an artery that has required 4 surgeries to address ongoing bleeding. Dean is now managing his condition and the resultant low blood levels due to the wound. He will take some time to replenish his blood levels.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-12wks
Next race prediction – Out for likely a lot of Motocross.
Jeremy Martin #6 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Midweek after Round 8 at Arlington
Injured What? Left shoulder – Labral tear. Had surgery and is on the recovery path.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3-6months
Next race prediction – Mid to End of outdoors at best. Given his new team announcement I expect him now to sit out until 2023 SX
Coty Schock #37 – Phoenix racing Honda
Injured When? Round 8 Arlington
Injured What? Bruised Lung, Hematoma on the right shoulder, and left knee ACL and MCL tears.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear, Coty has had surgery but the return timeframe is not known. Usually 5-6months. Most likely out for outdoors.
Next race prediction – 2023?
Jett Reynolds #124 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 7 Minneapolis
Injured What? Left Hand Fracture.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Just returned to riding after Pala 1. Would expect him to take 2-3wks before making his return to races.
Next race prediction – Rnd 4 Outdoors
Dilan Schwartz #40 – BarX Suzuki
Injured When? Round 4 at Anaheim 2
Injured What? Humerus Fracture. Then once he had recovered, he had another crash that resulted in a scaphoid fracture that required surgery.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks.
Next race prediction – Should be ready in about 2wks. Expect him at Round 4 at worst.
Adam Cianciarulo #9 – Monster Energy Kawasaki
Injured When? Practice at San Diego Rnd 3
Injured What? ACL in his right knee.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3-5months pending graft type used to replace ACL.
Next race prediction – Expect to be out for all of Outdoors now that Joey Savatgy is filling in. Probably a great idea for him to just get really healthy and have a proper fitness-based under him come Supercross 2023.
