One track can make all the difference in the 2022 AMA ProMotocross season.
Unadilla can be that track. Particularly if you are Eli Tomac. In this viewpoint, the track made a negative difference for Eli. An 8-race moto streak was ended in Washougal yes. But that was about as close a battle can be at the speed Eli and Chase are going currently. But in Unadilla. Eli was not even close to Chase Sexton.
The Unadilla track stands out as one end of the spectrum for the AMA series. The other end of that spectrum is Southwick. The hard surface, rocky soil and deep ruts (although this year was tamer in that area) create a surface not favourable to the full throttle beast mode style of Eli Tomac. Which clearly was no match for the precise, smooth, feet on the pegs style of Chase Sexton. At least this past weekend because run it five more times and Chase might make one of his last lap crash errors again.
So where does this leave the championship hunt for the 450’s?
Chase has confidence and momentum. Eli has resentment, and redemption to work with. One point separates them and it may not be more than a handful of points that separates them come the end of the final moto at Pala. But this weekend I believe will be an Eli weekend. You might see Chase’s momentum carry him early in the day. But look for Eli to make a beast mode run. If, and this is a big if. If Eli doesn’t leave Budds with the points lead. Just about lock in the title with the HRC Honda man.
On the 250 side of things. I really only have one observation from Unadilla. What was Jett Lawrence doing? Not the day he wanted with his clear speed advantage. Jett was able to reel in riders and make passed but equally able to crash his brains out and lose positions. Expect a bounce-back ride from him with another overall victory this weekend at Budds Creek. Unless Undilla Jett shows up again.
In injury news this week. Hardy Munoz has been working on his recovery from an ACL injury and Meniscal damage suffered over his racing career that final required repair earlier this year. Hardy has spoken with AlwaysMoto this week and he is planning to be back for the final round at Pala and then compete at the MXoN a few weeks later at RedBud.
Ezra Hastings who made last raced a moto at Thunder Valley has been going through a fair bit to recovery from some less than positive surgical outcomes for his ACL repair over the past few seasons. AlwaysMoto spoke with him and the interview is on The AlwaysMoto Podcast available at the link below.
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 10 – BUDDS CREEK:
Nick Romano #411 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Mid-week after Round 9 – Unadilla
Injured What? Nick has confirmed via his Instagram post that he sustained a thumb injury mid-week whilst training. Specifically, a tear to his ulnar collateral ligament. This will require surgery to repair.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12wk post-surgery completion
Next race prediction – SX 2023
Seth Hamaker #47 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 9 – Unadilla
Injured What? No confirmation from Seth or the Team after his endo over the bars on that tabletop.
Return to Riding Timeframe – <1wk. As per the Pro Circuit Team Press Release this week Seth is lining up at Budds Creek.
Next race prediction – Round 10, Budds Creek.
Ryder DiFrancesco – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 9 – Unadilla
Injured What? Ryder took a rock to the shoulder. Reportedly this sent his arm and hand numb but has recovered quickly post-race. This would be the equivalent of a footy player and a stinger-type injury that many readers might be familiar with from watching footy on TV.
Return to Riding Timeframe – <1wk. As per the Pro Circuit Team Press Release this week Ryder is lining up at Budds Creek.
Next race prediction – Round 10, Budds Creek.
Brandon Hartranft #41 – HEP Twisted Tea Suzuki
Injured When? Round 8 – Washougal
Injured What? Right Ankle – Ligament Tear
Return to Riding Timeframe – No news on the severity of injury or treatment so this remains unclear. Possibly 2-4wks pending need for surgery and then if that’s the case he will be out for the last 3 rounds.
Next race prediction – Unclear. It may not be until SX 2023
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 that AlwaysMoto has been able to confirm.
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
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 – Matt 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
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
Ongoing from Supercross 2022
Jeremy Martin #6 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha/ ClubMx 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.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3-6months
Next race prediction – Seems Jeremy may be making a comeback for the final two rounds on his new team ClubMx Yamaha.
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
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. Adam 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.
