Two Championships are confirmed. One left to Win. That’s all we have left for the final round of Monster Energy Supercross this weekend.
The final round is heading to Salt Lake City this Saturday to close out the 2022 Season. It will be without the newly crowned 450 Champ Eli Tomac as he has confirmed a knee injury sustained at Atlanta. Required some rest to allow a healthy Eli to be on the gate at round one of the outdoors.
Eli has confirmed an MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) tear to his left knee. Something that usually doesn’t require surgery and will be healed in about 4-6 weeks. Perfect timing for Eli it would seem. Lucky considering he was able to wrap up the championship early in his hometown last week.
So the last championship comes down to will Christian Craig finally get it done. Or will there be a Lawrence brother lockout in the 250 Supercross? It will take something bizarre for Hunter to get this one away from Christian. But think back on one year and Christian broke his leg in the second last round in a championship hunt. Will injury ruin his party again?
Another Covid enforced absence last week. This time it was Benny Bloss who has already had an abbreviated season. We spoke to Benny on The AlwaysMoto Podcast Episode #20 about his injury-shortened season if you have time take a listen.
The interesting news this week is the potential fill-in ride for Joey Savatagy at Monster Energy Kawasaki. To fill in for the injured Adam Cianciarulo. Funnily, Joey did his ACL only about 10 days before Adam. But Adam is out for the MX season. Joey is in. Why can one recover so much quicker? Numerous reasons at the surgical level mainly around which replacement ACL graft was used. But I also think that Joey doesn’t have a ride currently and needs to impress to get a paying deal for 2023. Adam has plenty of offers I’d assume so can afford to wait and be fully recovered before returning to the races.
A massive season of injuries this year and the list below illustrates that. Hopefully, we can have a bit less brutal Outdoor season. With Ryan Dungey and Toni Cairoli coming over it will sure be good to see them stay healthy and do all 12 rounds. But #injuriesareapartofmoto so anything can happen.
Check out more conversations on all the injuries on the AlwaysMoto podcast on your favorite podcast app.
If we have missed a rider or got an injury update wrong let us know. alwaysmoto2019@gmail.com or @always.moto on Instagram
See you next week Moto fans.
THE INJURY LIST – GOING INTO ROUND 17 – SALT LAKE CITY
Eli Tomac #3 (#1) – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Round 14 – Atlanta
Injured What? MCL – Medial Collateral Ligament Tear – inner aspect of the knee.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 4-6wks. These heal on their own generally and are the nearly the only knee ligament injury that doesn’t require surgical intervention.
Next race prediction – Eli is out this weekend. But should be ready come round 1 of the outdoors.
Henry Miller #129 – Privateer KTM
Injured When? Round 16 – Denver
Injured What? Shoulder – unable to get a response from Henry as yet but he will miss this weekend in Salt Lake City.
Return to Riding Timeframe – unclear at this time.
Next race prediction – ? Outdoors
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 that he is having surgery on Friday 29/4/22 and will then be out for about 6-8wks. We will be chatting with him on the podcast in the coming episodes.
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 6 or later.
Jeremy Hand #63 – SGB Honda
Injured When? Round 15 – Foxborough
Injured What? Cut to hand and index finger fracture.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Jeremy confirmed with AlwaysMoto last week that he is doing pretty well considering he had his hand stuck in the spokes and caliper. He has indicated he may try and race Salt Lake depending on how the wound recovers.
Next race prediction – Maybe in maybe out for Round 17 at Salt Lake.
Ramy Alves #70 – Privateer
Injured When? Round 14 – Atlanta
Injured What? Ankle issue. Unconfirmed diagnosis at this time.
Return to Riding Timeframe – attempted to ride Foxborough but was unable to complete all the laps in the main event.
Next race prediction – not confirmed but I expect him to be in for Round 17 for East-West Showdown.
Phil Nicoletti #715 – ClubMX Yamaha
Injured When? Round 14 – Atlanta
Injured What? Fractured Ulna
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – Phil may miss the early rounds of outdoors pending surgery progress. Expect rounds 3-4 of the Outdoors for his return.
Kaeden Amerine #432 – Team Tedder
Injured When? Round 14 – Atlanta
Injured What? Fractured wrist
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – Some point in the Outdoors around June/July.
Jordon Smith #90 – Firepower Honda
Injured When? Round 14 – Atlanta
Injured What? Fractured left index finger
Return to Riding Timeframe – bone will take 4-6wks to repair but I expect Jordon to be able to ride through
Next race prediction – Round 17 for East-West Showdown.
Max Vohland #36 – RedBull KTM
Injured When? Midweek after Round 14
Injured What? Fractured Thumb
Return to Riding Timeframe – 4-6wks.
Next race prediction – Outdoors round one at best.
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 correct so far. Hoping Dean can be released from the hospital by the weekend and begin his recovery soon.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks
Next race prediction – Out for Supercross most likely a lot of Motocross as well.
Kyle Peters #52 – Phoenix Honda
Injured When? Round 13 – St. Louis
Injured What? Broken C5 and C6 fractured vertebrae.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 2wks.
Next race prediction – Out for Supercross.
Joan Cros #848 – Madd Parts Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 13 – St. Louis
Injured What? Broken thumb
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks following surgery completed.
Next race prediction – Out for Supercross.
Cameron Mcadoo #48 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 13 – St. Louis – Press Day
Injured What? AC joint Separation
Return to Riding Timeframe – 4-6wks.
Next race prediction – Out for Supercross.
Hunter Schlosser #79 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Round 12 Seattle
Injured What? T5, T7 and T9 Fracture. Hunter confirmed with AlwaysMoto that no surgery was required but he is most likely out for SX
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks
Next race prediction – Outdoors Rnd 1
Stilez Robertson #50 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Injured When? Mid-week before Round 11 Indy
Injured What? Broken Hand. No surgery is required.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 4-6weeks
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1.
Preston Kilroy #68 – BarX Suzuki
Injured When? Round 11 Indy
Injured What? Fractured to the neck of the Femur and his Pelvis near the cup joint for the femur.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks
Next race prediction – Outdoors round 1.
Brock Papi #247 – Privateer Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 11 Indy
Injured What? Fractured Collarbone
Return to Riding Timeframe – 4-6weeks
Next race prediction – Outdoors round 1.
Dylan Ferrandis #14 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Round 10 at Detroit
Injured What? Bone bruise on his wrist.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2wks
Next race prediction – Confirmation from the team and Dylan that he is out until Outdoors.
Kyle Swanson #313 – Privateer KTM
Injured When? Round 10 at Detroit
Injured What? Tib / Fib fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – Outdoors round 1
Hunter Sayles #85 – PRMX Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 10 at Detroit on press day.
Injured What? 8 broken ribs and a punctured lung
Return to Riding Timeframe – Likely off the bike for 6wks.
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1
Ken Roczen #94 – HRC Honda
Injured When? Reports are he has been managing his illness for some time now.
Injured What? Issues with health relating to Epstein Barr Virus that has been present with him since his arm issues in 2017 and 2018.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1??? Has been seen back on the bike this week but I’m still cautious on this one.
Jeremy Martin #6 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Midweek after Round 8 at Arlington
Injured What? Left shoulder – possible labral tear that is yet to be confirmed if surgery is required.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3-6months
Next race prediction – Mid to End of outdoors at best.
Levi Kitchen #59 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Round 8 Arlington
Injured What? Concussion, Fractured Knee cap and top of Tibia fracture.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Back on the bike since the start of April. Not likely to do any SX.
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1
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?
Jace Kessler #92 – Privateer Honda
Injured When? Round 8 Arlington
Injured What? Broken Wrist. Completed surgery.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wk
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1.
RJ Wageman #99 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Round 8 Arlington
Injured What? Broken Arm
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8wk
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1.
Izaih Clark #682 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Midweek after Round 7 at Minneapolis
Injured What? Broken Ankle requiring surgery to plate and screw. Back on the bike now preparing for the outdoors.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8wks
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1.
Jett Reynolds #124 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Round 7 Minneapolis
Injured What? Left Hand Fracture. Has had surgery already. So I expect him to be ready to race again in around 4-6wks. He may try and get out there for the final few rounds of Supercross. He may just get ready for Outdoors.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 4-6wks
Next race prediction – Potentially Rnd 1 Outdoors
Vann Martin #421 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Round 7 Minneapolis
Injured What? Compression fracture to T6/7
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear. Suspect him to be out for the entire 2022 SX and MX season. Check out the AlwaysMoto podcast for an extended chat with Vann.
Next race prediction – 2023?
Aaron Plessinger #7 – RedBull KTM
Injured When? Mid Week before Round 8
Injured What? Left Radius and Scaphoid fracture.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks. Pending removal of wires that are surgically inserted to stabilise the wrist during recovery.
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1.
Richard Taylor #141 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Round 6 at Anaheim 3
Injured What? Fracture to Radius (Forearm bone). Sustained a Gallezzi Fracture which for adults requires surgical plating to allow suitable healing. Looks to have had surgery this week and we will be speaking with Richard next week for The AlwaysMoto podcast
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks.
Next race prediction – Outdoors Round 1
Jonah Geistler #625 – Privateer KTM
Injured When? Approx Feb 10th whilst training.
Injured What? Shoulder – Tibia and Fibula fracture that has required surgery to stabilise the tibia.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12wks
Next race prediction – Out for Supercross rounds in 2022.
Dilan Schwartz #40 – BarX Suzuki
Injured When? Round 4 at Anaheim 2
Injured What? Humerus Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks.
Next race prediction – No word on his recovery at this stage.
Ryder Floyd #296 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Practice in preparation for East Coast 250’s
Injured What? Multiple metatarsal fractures
Return to Riding Timeframe – minimum 6wks following completion of surgery that has been completed to plate the metatarsal fractures.
Next race prediction – Outdoors Rnd 1
Adam Cianciarulo #9 – Monster Energy Kawasaki
Injured When? Practice at San Diego Rnd 3
Injured What? Finally, confirmation that Adam has had reconstruction to his ACL in his right knee.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3-5months pending graft type used to replace ACL.
Next race prediction – Looks like it won’t be until June/July for Adam. Rumours going around that he is already ruled out for all of Outdoors but that is unconfirmed.
Seth Hamaker #47 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Practising mid-week prior to San Diego Rnd 3
Injured What? Laceration to spleen and compression fractures to T7 and T8 vertebrae. This is a significant injury and will require a decent amount of time off the bike.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Update from the team PR that Seth is back on the bike since April and preparing for Outdoors.
Next race prediction – Outdoors Rnd 1
Chase Felong #154 – AEO Husqvarna
Injured When? Oakland Rnd 2
Injured What? AlwaysMoto checked in with Chase this week. Confirmation of Sprained foot and ankle. Fracture to Calcaneus and Talus (Heel bones) along with a bone chip in his posterior foot. Also complete rupture of one of his lateral ligaments in his ankle.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear, but potentially 6wks from this week which will be approx 12wk recovery.
Next race prediction – Unclear, Chase confirmed with AlwaysMoto that he will be taking all the time he needs to have no pain when he is able to return.
Mitchell Falk #612 – AJE motorsports Gas Gas
Injured When? Pre Season
Injured What? Low back injury. Mitchell has ongoing issues with a bulging disc that presses on his sciatica nerve. It seems it has been causing him inconsistent issues that will keep him out of the supercross season. Mitchell has updated everyone that he has gone in for surgery as it seems his conservative approach hasn’t worked to date.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear
Next race prediction – Unclear at this stage
Joey Savatgy #17 – Rocky Mountain ATV MC/ WPS KTM
Injured When? Tuesday before Rnd 2 at Oakland
Injured What? ACL Tear.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3-6months post-op is the usual ACL timeframe. Reports are he has been on the bike for one month already. So he was only out for about 3months.
Next race prediction – Maybe getting a fill-in ride at Kawasaki to start from round 1 of the Outdoors.
Colt Nichols #45 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Anaheim 1
Injured What? Multiple injuries. Both arms, burn and hip contusion. Specific details have not yet been released by the team manager when we spoke.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 16wks
Next race prediction – Unclear at this stage, some point in the outdoors.
Justin Cooper #32 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? 4/1/22
Injured What? LisFranc fracture to Foot
Return to Riding Timeframe – Back on the bike as of April. Looks like he will be ready for the outdoors start.
Next race prediction – MX round 1.
