Racing can be such an elevating euphoric feeling. But it can also shatter you into a million pieces. Aaron Plessinger learnt that in Detroit last weekend.
Iām not sure how he slept that night but I’m sure his eyes were open staring at the roof for the majority of it. How could he not be? I personally felt sick all Sunday afternoon for him. Yet despite the heartbreak for Aaron Plessinger. Chase Sexton finally got the Win in a regular main event this year without crashing out. So that swing can happen before you know what’s going on.
The injuries have been continuing to roll in but we are also starting to get far enough into the season that some of the early-round injuries are beginning to return to the practice tracks.
Jo Shimoda, Justin Rodbell, Carson Munmford, and Vince Friese to name a few have all been busy on the track and posting those reels on the gram in the past week or so. Carson will actually be the big story this weekend to finally be on the track on his new fill-in ride with Pro Circuit Kawasaki. But with these recovering riders. It is making me interested to finally see if the shift to Supermotocross and the combined points system will actually create the desired change for fans.
Will their favourite riders return to Supercross with just a few rounds remaining and they clearly are out of title contention? I want that to be true but we will have to see. Jo Shimoda is the one Iām curious about as to how this plays out. He is a definite title contender for the 250 outdoors title this year. Will his team play it safe and leave him out of the remaining supercross rounds to focus on and be fit and healthy for the start of Outdoors? Or will they send him to Atlanta and beyond for Supercross to get more points, maybe even a win to ensure qualification into the Supermotocross playoffs later in September? I know both Feld and MXSports will be hoping for his return to show the value of the new format. Time will tell I guess.
With the return to the West Coast, a coast switch occurs again. Seems to be a lot this season. Our Aussie mate Matt Moss isn’t racing Seattle but has confirmed with us that he will be at Glendale. No injury just has to make life work these days and not everything is racing which is nice to hear from him as his priorities shift in the later years of his racing career.
A few riders that went down at the last West Coast round at Oakland are well and truly mended and ready to go again this Saturday. Derek Kelley, Cole Thompson, Dominque Thurry, etc. will all be ready to go racing.
After 10 rounds of AMA supercross racing. Our Injury rate has thankfully slowed a little from our early season numbers. 10 rounds in and we have recorded 85 injuries this season (Including pre-season from October 1st). That works out to be 8.5 injuries per round of Supercross in 2023.
Surprisingly we have had 4 press day injuries in 2023 which are up from 1-2 for the previous few seasons. With 7 more Press Days yet to come that number could end up a lot higher. Let’s hope not.
Finally, with Seattle being an open-air stadium we can maybe get a bit of weather again for the round and really give Aaron Plessinger the advantage he deserves after last week’s race. But the Moto Gods don’t tend to be that nice to anyone.
A reminder that the AlwaysMoto Fantasy league game continues. For Aussie Readers, if you want to join the now-closed league. Please send me a DM for a special entry to the league.
Remember to stay up to date 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 on Spotify 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
Injured Riders List ā Round 11
Alex Ray #140
Injured When? Detroit
Injured What? After coming back around 3-4 weeks post-op from his thumb fracture. He has managed to case a jump and break his Ring Finger which required more surgery.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Likely out for 6 weeks now.
Next race prediction – May miss the rest of the season pending the recovery progress.
Scott Meshey #411
Injured When? Detroit – Press Day
Injured What? An Overjump of the Triple has caused a Tibia fracture to the malleolus. Inner ankle bone.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – May miss the rest of the season pending the recovery progress.
Robert Hailey #289
Injured When? Detroit
Injured What? Right Shoulder dislocation
Return to Riding Timeframe – Pending stability once relocated. Could be ready in 1-2 weeks.
Next race prediction – Robert confirmed he is aiming to be back for Atlanta.
Brandon Ray #388
Injured When? Areanacross Mid March
Injured What? Ankle Sprain
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-3wks pending severity and if any bone fractures are seen once the swelling goes down
Next race prediction – Glendale pending recovery.
Bubba Pauli #282
Injured When? Indy
Injured What? Amputated the tip of his Left Thumb
Return to Riding Timeframe – Unclear. Due to the reattachment process. Not sure how long it will take for the tip to survive or be removed.
Next race prediction – likely out for Supercross.
Larry Reyes Jr #552
Injured When? Indy
Injured What? Grade 5 liver laceration, Fractured Shoulder and a concussion
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12 weeks pending liver function returning.
Next race prediction – Likely out for Supercross.
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 – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – May Miss remaining Supercross rounds pending recovery process.
Jonah Geistler #115
Injured When? Daytona
Injured What? T1 and T4 fractures, 1st rib fracture and a small brain bleed
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks pending head injury recovery.
Next race prediction – May miss the remaining supercross rounds.
Devin Harriman #99 – Privateer
Injured When? Arlington
Injured What? Compound fracture of Left Tibia/ fibula
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3 months pending post-op recovery process.
Next race prediction – Mid Outdoors 2023.
Stilez Robertson #40 – Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Oakland
Injured What? Beat up
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2 weeks
Next race prediction – No official word from him or the team but I would expect him to be back for Seattle this weekend.
Derek Kelley #41 – AEO KTM
Injured When? Oakland
Injured What? Beat up from multiple crashes in the whoops across the event.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2 weeks
Next race prediction – Seattle this weekend
Dominque Thurry #76 – Team Solitare
Injured When? Oakland
Injured What? Concussion
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2 weeks pending clearance from concussion protocol.
Next race prediction – Seattle this weekend
Phil Nicoletti #69 – ClubMX Yamaha
Injured When? Oakland
Injured What? Dislocated Wrist, Ulnar Lunate dislocation. The treatment needed is still pending.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8 weeks Minimum depending on surgical intervention needed.
Next race prediction – MX Round 1 in Late May 2023.
Jerry Robin #97 – Privateer GasGas
Injured When? Dealing with it for a few weeks
Injured What? Bent the plate and screws backing out of old repaired hand fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6 weeks are required as he has to have the plate and screws removed.
Next race prediction – Seattle this weekend
Matthew Curler #958 – Privateer
Injured When? Tampa
Injured What? Dislocated right shoulder, Left wrist sprain, investigating broken thumb and burn on his side
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks pending thumb fracture confirmation
Next race prediction – Atlanta for the next East Coast round
Dylan Ferrandis #14 – Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Houston and further issues with the Daytona Press Day crash.
Injured What? Concussion
Return to Riding Timeframe – Reported on his socials about a 6wk program to return via. Currently about 3-4 weeks in.
Next race prediction – Unclear at this time. Maybe out til Outdoors???
Preston Kilroy #71 – ClubMX Yamaha
Injured When? Houston
Injured What? Broke both wrists
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8 weeks minimum. Required surgery on both right and left radius bones in his forearms.
Next race prediction – Potentially out until Outdoors in late May 2023.
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.
Ryder Floyd #296 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Pre-season – Attempted to race Houston but was unable to get through the day.
Injured What? Fractured Right Foot
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks post-op
Next race prediction – May Miss remaining East Coast SX rounds
Cory Carsten #281 – Privateer Suzuki
Injured When? Pre-season for East Coast
Injured What? Collarbone fracture. Completed surgery for repair.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Back on the bike this week!
Next race prediction – Round 13 in Atlanta when East Coast SX comes back from a West coast swing.
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.
Jalek Swoll #31 – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna
Injured When? Training incident.
Injured What? Spiral Fracture of Left Humerus
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12 weeks
Next race prediction – Sometime after round 13 at the earliest.
Jo Shimoda #30 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Training incident.
Injured What? Collarbone fracture.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6 weeks
Next race prediction – Maybe Atlanta for round 13 pending recovery progress
Seth Hammaker #35 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Training incident.
Injured What? Wrist injury.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6 weeks
Next race prediction – Maybe Atlanta for round 13 pending recovery progress
Marvin Musquin #25 – RedBull KTM
Injured When? Mid-week prior to San Diego
Injured What? Broken Scaphoid.
Return to Riding Timeframe – The fracture coupled with issues from a previous wrist injury has meant that Marvin will let the injury heal naturally and this will extend his recovery timeframe. Potentially to around 8 weeks.
Next race prediction – Possibly out for the remaining Supercross rounds in 2023. But is building bikes with David Vuillemin in a brace recently so things aren’t too bad.
Austin Forkner #55 – Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Anaheim 1
Injured What? Right Knee and Left Hand. The Right knee is the main issue. ACL Tear, Partial tears to PCL and MCL ligaments. Both Medial and Lateral Meniscus tears and a tibial Plateau fracture.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-9 months pending graft type used for ACL repair
Next race prediction – Unclear at this time. Has a 10wk check with the surgeon next week.
Luis Macias #259 – The Privateer Paddock
Injured When? Anaheim 1
Injured What? Broken Ribs, Lacerated Lung and Pneumothorax
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6 weeks. Back on the bike and getting ready for the SX again soon.
Next race prediction – Aiming for Denver. Not ready fitness-wise for Seattle due to the lung injury affecting his early training capacity.
Ryder DiFrancesco #75 – Monster Energy Pro Circuit
Injured When? Training
Injured What? Left Thumb, Avulsion fracture. This is where the ligament is pulled away from the bone with a piece of bone still attached to the Ligament. Ryder had surgery 2 days after the injury.
Return to Riding Timeframe – Back on the bike as per his Instagram.
Next race prediction – Pro Motocross Opener – Late May 2023
Justin Rodbell #70 – Privateer
Injured When? Pre-Season
Injured What? Torn Achilles Tendon. AlwaysMoto checked in with Justin just a few days after he had surgery to repair the tear. Justin has a long road ahead with the recovery.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-9 months
Next race prediction – Unclear at this early stage of recovery for this injury.
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.
Kyle Greeson #204 – Privateer
Injured When? Pre-Season
Injured What? L3 Burst Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 3Months +
Next race prediction – Pending recovery May be able to race MX in Late May 2023.
Vince Friese #39 – Motoconcepts Honda
Injured When? Pre-Season
Injured What? The Team has been very non-specific and lacks details on the injury for Vince. Unconfirmed reports of an Achilles injury from the A1 pits as he was in a moon boot.
Return to Riding Timeframe – as of last week is back on the bike from the videos on his Instagram. But still no response from the team or Vince about his plans or injury details.
Next race prediction – Guess it will be WSX???
