Jett Lawrence has done part one. The Championship is clinched with two full rounds left. But the Rookie has one more task on his mind this outdoor season. Can he go all the way undefeated? Budds Creek and IronMan left to go. I think he can do it!
The Aussie fans are being treated to a memorable season in AMA racing. Something that will go down in history as our best ever thanks to the efforts of the Lawrence family. Hunter and Jett have really had a firm grip on the podium at just about every race in 2023 so far. Their presentation, technique, speed, fitness, support crew, team and communication has been a shining example for the next generation of Australian racers.
On the Injury front. The new SMX format has had a massively positive effect on the return to the races of riders post-injury. The past few weeks have seen a number of high-level guys return to the races. Some, potentially earlier than they would like just to secure a start in the SMX rounds in September. This is a fantastic thing for the fans. No longer are the riders sitting out seasons despite being capable of returning to the track but don’t as they aren’t in the championship hunt.
But let’s play devil’s advocate for a sec. What if, we find out in the future that some of these guys are having long-term issues with the injuries that they have returned early from because of the push for SMX points? Is that a concern? Should I even mention this now? We don’t have any form of rider union or voice protecting the rider’s long-term health at this point in the progression of our sport.
Things like this might not be noticed for some years if talked about in terms of long-term function and arthritis and joint linings. That conversation you might have had with a doctor where you are told you need a knee replacement from long-term damage and bad movement patterns from an injury years before? This could be where we end up. But for now, It’s fantastic to see these guys returning to the track and not sitting out months on end until the next series begins. But something to consider as SMX and Moto as an industry grows is how these injuries affect our sports stars long term.
RJ Hampshire is making a sensible move this week. His heavy crash at Unadilla in Moto 2 left RJ with a concussion. RJ confirmed with us this week that he is feeling good. But just slowly following the concussion protocol to ensure he is ready to go at worst by the start of SMX. RJ is doing something not everyone does with a concussion. Taking the appropriate time. Something I wish more riders did.
For now, let’s hope for minimal injuries and good races to close out the MX season. But I am very much looking forward to seeing if this Jett kid can put together four more moto’s.
Remember to stay updated on all the injury news via our social feeds @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 or here below
See you next round Moto fans.
#injuriesareapartofmoto
This list has who we know has an injury. What that injury is and 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. info@alwaysmoto.com
The Emergency Department List
RJ Hampshire #24 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Injured When? Moto 2 Unadilla
Injured What? Concussion
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2wks
Next race prediction – IronMan Rnd 11
Scott Meshey #411 – HiBi Racin
Injured When? Moto 1 Unadilla
Injured What? Left Middle finger laceration
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1wks
Next race prediction – Budds Creek Rnd 10
Tyler Stepek #177 – Privateer
Injured When? Mid Week before High Point
Injured What? Broken Femur and Dislocated Hip
Return to Riding Timeframe – approx 5 months pending surgical outcome
Next race prediction – SX 24
Guillem Farres #88 – Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Thunder Valley – Moto 1
Injured What? Left Humerus fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12 weeks pending surgical outcomes.
Next race prediction – SX 2024
Jett Reynolds #124 – Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? After RedBud
Injured What? Illness
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear
Next race prediction – Unclear
Marshal Welton #50 – HEP Suzuki
Injured When? Thunder Valley – Moto 1
Injured What? ACL Tear
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-9months
Next race prediction – SX 2024
Jake Runkles #227 – Privateer GasGas
Injured When? Thunder Valley – Moto 1
Injured What? Broken Arm
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8 weeks pending intervention.
Next race prediction – Unclear at time of typing this.
Jeremy Martin #6 – ClubMX Yamaha
Injured When? Hangtown – Moto 2
Injured What? Right Wrist and Elbow Fractures and dislocations.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear.
Next race prediction – Unclear, SX 2024?
Michael Mosiman #31 – TLD GasGas
Injured When? Hangtown – Moto 2
Injured What? Shoulder surgery completed
Return to Riding Timeframe – unclear.
Next race prediction – Out until 2024 SX
Eli Tomac #1 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Denver
Injured What? Left Achilles tendon rupture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-9months
Next race prediction – SX 2024
John Short #73 – Privateer Kawasaki
Injured When? Nashville
Injured What? Aggravated a hand injury, and has completed surgery.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3 months
Next race prediction – SX 2024
Nate Thrasher #29 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Atlanta
Injured What? Right Dislocated Hip, Left Collarbone Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12 weeks pending the surgical repair to the bone fragments Thrasher reported are in his hip.
Next race prediction – SX 2024
Christian Craig #28 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Racing
Injured When? Glendale
Injured What? Dislocated Elbow and Dislocated hip
Return to Riding Timeframe – Late Outdoors or SMX???
Next race prediction – Maybe SMX???
Cameron Mcadoo #48 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Mid Week before Glendale
Injured What? Right Shoulder – dislocated and torn labrum resulting in surgery being completed
Return to Riding Timeframe – Approx 12wks
Next race prediction – Late Outdoors 2023 ???
Jesse Flock #167
Injured When? Daytona
Injured What? 4 broken ribs, punctured lung, fractured T2 vertebrae. Bone bruising on the left arm.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear
Next race prediction – Unclear at this time.
Nick Romano #54 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Pre-Season – January 3rd.
Injured What? Right ACL tear and Meniscus injury. Surgery completed14/2/23
Return to Riding Timeframe – Approx. 6 months.
Next race prediction – 2024 SX.
Malcolm Stewart #27 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Injured When? Training incident.
Injured What? ACL tear in his Knee
Return to Riding Timeframe – Approx. 6 Months
Next race prediction – Likely out until 2024 SX pending recovery time for ACL graft type used.
Brandon Hartranft #37 – HEP Twisted Tea Suzuki
Injured When? Pre-Season
Injured What? Multiple injuries. L1-2 Endplate fractures, L3-4 Transverse process fractures, L1-3 Spinous processes, Left Hip dislocation, Multiple rib fractures, right scapular fracture, Right hemothorax (Lung injury).
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-12 months
Next race prediction – Unclear at this early stage of recovery for these injuries.
