The 2022 AMA Pro Motocross is in full swing and heading to round 4 at High Point in Pennsylvania. A track that has been on the series since 1977.
So far in 2022, the Outdoor series has had a quiet start to the year in terms of injuries. Something that is a little refreshing given the high numbers seen in the Supercross series earlier in the year.
But nonetheless, we still have injuries. As I say in my Instagram post. Injuries are a part of moto. With a few key riders going out of the series already, Dylan Ferrandis, Austin Forkner for most likely the season, and Cameron Mcadoo also missing a chunk of the series. The injury list is seeing hopefully less significant injuries. Many riders will be making returns to the Outdoors in the not too distant future. Phil Nicoletti, Enzo Lopes, Dilan Schwartz and Jett Reynolds are all on the comeback trail. Many have just returned to riding and full training. Ideally, all four of these guys are back by the mid-point of the season.
Austin Forkner’s Instagram story this week was an interesting one. Not only has he left the series for a labrum (shoulder) issue. But it appears as though he has had other work done on his wrist and forearm. Not sure if this is to clean up or remove plates etc from past injuries or if there are multiple injuries he has been dealing with this season? Hopefully, we can bring you more shortly.
Is anyone still concerned about Eli Tomac’s Knee? I’m not. As I said in this column last time. It would be a slow build for Eli and that’s exactly what he is doing. Apart from losing his back brake whilst challenging Kenny last week, I think things are right on track for a title chase from Eli this year.
Aaron Plessinger seems to be going along slowly post his wrist injury in Supercross. Despite being back on track at the opener his results haven’t really come up to his level from last season where he was a threat to the podium and race wins most weeks. Is this just a fitness post-injury issue or is he still dealing with some lingering issues with his injury? Time will tell once the series heads east and his more favorable tracks come around.
On an Aussie fanboy front. It’s fantastic to have both Lawrence brothers running up front each week and putting it to the AMA contenders. Let’s hope for a strong season-long charge from the boys.
Don’t forget to join 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 4 – HIGH POINT:
Jalek Swoll #31 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Injured When? Round 3 – Thunder Valley
Injured What? Concussion
Return to Riding Timeframe – Depends on him passing the concussion protocol. Could be back for High Point this weekend.
Next race prediction – ? Round 4 at Highpoint
Benny Bloss #73 – Team BBMX KTM
Injured When? Round 3 – Thunder Valley
Injured What? Knee, AlwaysMoto spoke with Benny and he indicated the knee isn’t too bad. He was planning to ride on Thursday US time and see if it will handle this week’s race. He should be on the line at High Point.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1wk
Next race prediction – ? Round 4 at Highpoint
Nate Thrasher #49 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Round 3 – Thunder Valley
Injured What? Shoulder. Always Moto checked in with Star Racing Yamaha 250 team manager Jensen Hendler mid-week. Jensen indicated Nate was going to ride mid-week to test out the shoulder but he expects him to be good to go come Saturday at Highpoint.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1wk
Next race prediction – ? Round 4 at Highpoint
RJ Hampshire #24 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Injured When? Round 2 – Hangtown
Injured What? Lung, RJ confirmed with AlwaysMoto a laceration to his lung after a wooden stake went into his rib cage. A lot of blood coughed up but the lung didn’t collapse luckily. RJ is hoping for a quick return.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2wk
Next race prediction – ? Round 4 at Highpointbut if not definitely Round 5.
Brandon Scharer #91 – ClubMX Yamaha
Injured When? Round 1 – Pala 1, but pulled out at Round 2 Hangtown
Injured What? A crash at Pala led to compression fractures of his mid-thoracic vertebrae. After trying to ride at Hangtown and not realising the extent of the injury Brandon has now got scans and confirmed the injury.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – Unclear at this time. May sit out remaining of the season as he is not a full-time rider for ClubMX but their team trainer.
Austin Forkner #33 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 1 – Pala 1 (Sort of)
Injured What? Shoulder injury. A labral tear that has been around for a while this season was reaggravated. But the Instagram story this week from Austin is interesting. Seems he might be taking the time to get a few other things worked on to be healthy for 2023 SX. some wrist and forearm work has been done recently. No word on what the injury or work required there but good to see he is using the time wisely to recover and be ready come January 2023.
Return to Riding Timeframe – This is usually an 8-12wks recovery timeframe for the labral tear aspect.
Next race prediction – Out for Outdoors, I expect.
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.
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 is back on the bike finally and I wouldn’t expect him back for a further 4wks to build some fitness up first. But he may return at round 5 as there is a break in the schedule after round 4. Have to wait and see.
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 5 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 – 6-8wks.
Next race prediction – Expect him at Round 5-6 at worst. But there have been no updates coming from Dilan on his status so take that with a grain of salt.
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.
