ProMotocross is back from a three-week break that allows the Loretta Lynn amateur national to occur. Not to Mention “The Emergency Department” is back from a few week break due to my own injury-enforced layoff.
Just confirming that #injuriesareapartofmoto and no one is safe, not even a physio who races vet classes nowadays (insert facepalm emoji). But that’s enough pity talk. ProMotocross is deep into the Championship hunt.
So where are we at heading into the final four weeks of this year’s series?
Eli Tomac and Chase Sexton are in battle all to themselves for this title. Both riders seem to be able to run at a pace that no one can seem to even come close to. The gaps of 30+ seconds at the end of the Moto’s over third and back confirm that point. But who wins this at the end? Eli on paper seems to be the favourite. But Chase has a fair chance at this. Why? Eli doesn’t have the best results at Unadilla and Pala in past years. His Ironman results also are up and down but it’s been the final round in years past and he has been in championship mode then so that doesn’t count. Chase, therefore, has the upper hand in my opinion. But can he hold it together and not have a weirdo last lap crash and throw it away as has been his recurring nightmare so far in 2022? Chase also has to beat Eli, not just be a consistent finisher so there is that pressure also that may weigh on Chase and make Eli potentially come out on top. Either way, it’s going to be a hot pace every lap til the checkers at Pala 2 for these two guys. Let’s hope they both stay healthy for us fans to truly enjoy this battle to the end.
In the 250’s. Short of a major catastrophe, An Aussie is taking home this title again. I expect it to be Jett Lawrence as does everyone else in the world. But his brother Hunter might push this and get his first overall for the year this weekend or next and push Jett right to the end.
Don’t count our Jo Shimoda either. I’ve been super impressed with Jo these last few rounds. Jo has really been the only guy to really push the Lawrence’s for the entire moto. He could make a step further into the mix after this little break.
On the injury front, it’s been a tame injury list so far this Outdoor season. What is also different this year compared to past years. We have a lot of riding making a return to the series this weekend with only a few rounds left. Something that in years past most riders would just take the early out and sit out the entire season despite being ready to race with a handful or rounds remaining.
For this weekend, we have a lot of big names coming back. Malcolm Stewart, Dean Wilson, Cameron Mcadoo and the defending Champ for the 450’s Dylan Ferrandis are all making their return this weekend at Unadilla.
In my absence from my own injury, I never got to put in one of the more bizarre injuries from this MX season. Austin Forkner’s Mechanic Tony Archer. Whilst helping out as a spotter for the team at round two as Austin was out injured. Tony managed to get hit by RJ Hampshire’s bike as RJ crashed off the track. Tony sustained a concussion, a fracture to his lower leg, and a sprained ankle. Not what you expect when you are just watching the racing but goes to show you never know what will happen at the track. Tony, thankfully is doing well now and is back spinning the wrenches for Ryder DiFrancesco currently whilst Austin continues to recover from his injuries.
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!
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 9 – UNADILLA:
Colby Copp #645 – Privateer GasGas
Injured When? Round 8 – Washougal
Injured What? Laceration to Bicep. AlwaysMoto checked in with Colby this week and he is back riding after having stitches removed and some therapy for the associated bruising in the arm.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 2wks
Next race prediction – Colby told AlwaysMoto he won’t be racing until the final round at Pala 2.
Michael Mosiman #29 – Troy Lee Designs / Red Bull / GasGas
Injured When? Round 7 – Millville
Injured What? Concussion
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2wks
Next race prediction – Michael and his team are always difficult to get an update on and this remains the same for this weekend. In theory, Michael should be able to race in terms of appropriate recovery time but nothing has been confirmed at this time.
Nick Romano #411 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Round 7 – Millville
Injured What? Twisted his knee
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2wks
Next race prediction – Unadilla this weekend
Levi Kitchen #59 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Mid-week practising before Millville
Injured What? Broken Wrist that required surgical repair.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks.
Next race prediction – Levi may be able to return for the remaining 2 rounds but that will depend on if the team feels it’s worthwhile. Likely to be out for the remainder of ProMotocross and returning in 2023 SX
Stilez Robertson #50 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Injured When? Round 7 – Millville
Injured What? Torn ligaments in Ankle
Return to Riding Timeframe – reports indicate he requires surgical repair. This will be an 8-12wk recovery timeframe off the bike.
Next race prediction – SX 2023
Max Anstie #34 – Honda
Injured When? Round 7 – Millville
Injured What? Concussion
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2wks. Was actually only planning to race a few rounds and finish at Millville. So he won’t miss any planned racing action.
Next race prediction – WSX 2022 in October
Ty Masterpool #42 – Privateer KTM
Injured When? Round 7 – Millville
Injured What? Fracture Patellar
Return to Riding Timeframe – Reports from Ty indicate he has completed surgery. This usually involves a cage being built around the knee cap to assist recovery. Likely off the bike for 6-8wks.
Next race prediction – SX 2023
Enzo Lopes #80 – ClubMX Yamaha
Injured When? Round 7 – Millville
Injured What? Post-surgery infection that has not resolved despite his return to racing.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear. Enzo has confirmed he is returning to Brazil for review with the doctor who completed the surgery and review management of the infection.
Next race prediction – SX 2023
Thomas Welch #376 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Round 7 – Millville
Injured What? Concussion
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2wks pending the passing of the concussion protocol
Next race prediction – Has indicated he is returning this week at Unadilla.
Matt LeBlanc #329 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Round 6 -Southwick
Injured What? Broken Collarbone
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks.
Next race prediction – Chance he may be out for the remainder of ProMotocross and returning in 2023 SX. This is unconfirmed at this time.
Phil Nicoletti #715 – ClubMX Yamaha
Injured When? Round 14 – Atlanta and re-injured during preparations for a return to ProMotocorss
Injured What? Fractured Ulna
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – Phil was back on the bike preparing for a return to the ProMotocross series but had another crash and managed to rebreak his ulna. Phil is out for the season now and will be focusing on preparations for the 2023 Supercross from about October when he is recovered enough.
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
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 – Back this weekend at Unadilla!
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 – Back this weekend at Unadilla!
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 had to manage his condition and the resultant low blood levels due to the wound.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-12wks
Next race prediction – Dean is back this weekend at Unadilla.
Malcolm Stewart #27 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Injured When? Round 17 – Salt Lake City SX
Injured What? Knee injury. Unfortunately, there were no details on this knee injury for Malcolm. However, given the timing of his return this weekend. One would suspect a meniscal tear or minor medial ligament tear/sprain. Unlikely it was his ACL.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12wks
Next race prediction – Malcolm is back this weekend at Unadilla for his first ProMotocross race in 8years.
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 spoke with AlwaysMoto this week and confirmed he has been back on the bike and training. He was planning to ride the final four rounds on a 250 2stroke and had lined up sponsors to support the effort. But he has not been able to get a confirmed entry due to the events already being full. He may be back for Ironman but his entry is pending.
Next race prediction – As soon as he can confirm an entry due to the events being at capacity for entries already. Hopefully Ironman.
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. Has returned to riding but is now with the ClubMX Yamaha team and won’t be returning to racing this season.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3-6months
Next race prediction – With his new team announcement seeing him switch to ClubMX Yamaha, it’s likely Jeremy will sit out until 2023 SX despite him being back on the bike and training as per normal it seems.
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 – Should be any day now. Coty has posted recently that he has been cleared from Physio for his ACL and that usually means it’s time to get back on the bike.
Next race prediction – We understand his plans are to return to SX in 2023 and not the Outdoors this year.
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. Has been on the bike for some time now but as per this week’s team press release he is not returning at Unadilla.
Next race prediction – Unclear
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 for each injury.
Next race prediction – Returned last round at Washougal.
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. Adma has recently been cleared and has resumed riding.
Next race prediction – Out for all of Outdoors given Joey Savatgy is filling in. This is a great idea for Adam to just get really healthy and have a proper fitness-based under him come Supercross 2023.
