Moto is a brutal sport. This round-by-round article is a testament to the brutality of the sport and the injuries that our riders face on a weekly, if not daily occurrence.
In East Rutherford last week for Round 14 of the AMA Supercross series. Jerry Robin found out how brutal the sport can be. Jerry has suffered potentially career-ending injuries. One minute, you are competing at the highest level. The next minute, you’re world is crashing down and you are fighting to recover your physical capacity from a hospital bed. We hope that Jerry stays strong during his recovery. The Moto community is behind you. If you can support Jerry, please head over to the Road2 Recovery site and donate. https://www.road2recovery.com/athlete-causes/jerry-robin/
With the news about Jerry, we reflect on other riders who have suffered similar ends to their motocross careers. Chad Saultz earlier this year, Brandon Hartranft a few years ago, Brian Moreau before that, and even Jesse Nelson come to mind. In that space alone — not to mention others before them, or those not competing at a professional level — who have also ended up paralysed, where has our sport progressed to?
Have we really improved the safety of the sport? Are we making better protective gear? Have we modified the speeds of the bikes, like other motorsports have, to reduce the chances and hopefully the severity of injury when accidents occur? What about regulatory measures?
The AMA, for example, has a very average concussion protocol in place when compared to sports like the NFL in the United States or the NRL in Australia. Accidents happen in motorsport — that’s part of the thrill. It’s the knowledge that there’s real danger present, and that you are in control of it.
But at some point, we should still be taking steps — steps every year — to continually improve and prevent accidents wherever possible. And when they do happen, we should have systems in place to reduce the severity of the outcomes for our riders.
Let’s hope that this injury to Jerry, and the others that occur in our sport — and at pretty much every event — inspire multiple brands to make a difference with their product designs, for the betterment of the sport.
With three rounds remaining in the AMA Supercross Series, there is still plenty to play for in all three championships. Can Cooper Webb fight off the late-season pace of Chase Sexton in the 450s? Who will outlast the others in the 250 East Coast battle between Seth Hamaker, RJ Hampshire, and Tom Vialle? And can youngster Cole Davies do anything to bridge the 17-point gap to Haiden Deegan in the West Coast 250 competition?
Remember to stay updated on all the injury news via our social feeds @always.moto on Instagram. You can also check out more in-depth conversations about injuries in our sport on the AlwaysMoto podcast, available on your favourite podcast app or on Spotify.
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
Jerry Robin #77 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Rnd 14 East Rutherford
Injured What? T5 burst fracture – currently paralysed from his injury.
Return to Riding Timeframe – unfortunately this is likely a career ending injury.
Please head to Road 2 Recovery site to support Jerry and other injured riders if you are able. https://www.road2recovery.com/athlete-causes/jerry-robin/
TJ Albright #91 – Rock River Yamaha
Injured When? Rnd 13 Philadelphia
Injured What? Meniscus Tear in Knee
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Nick Romano #39 – Phoenix Honda
Injured When? Rnd 12 Foxborough
Injured What? Aggravation of his Torn ACL from earlier this season.
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Daxton Benick #34 – Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Rnd 13 Philadelphia
Injured What? Concussion and a vertebra compression fracture (Location unspecified)
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Gage Linville
Injured When? Rnd 13 Philadelphia
Injured What? Concussion, Broken Rib and a fracture in spine (Location unspecified)
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Lorenzon Locurcio #74 – Wildcat GasGas
Injured When? Non AMA event
Injured What? Lower Leg Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Joshua Varize #67 – Privateer KTM
Injured When? Rnd 11 Seattle
Injured What? T10 Vertebrae Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Max Anstie #31 – Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Rnd 10 Birmingham
Injured What? Left Fibula Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6-8wks
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Preston Boesflug #73 – PRMX
Injured When? Rnd 9 Indianapolis
Injured What? Right Femur Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 12-16wks
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Levi Kitchen #47 – Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Rnd 8 – Daytona
Injured What? Collarbone fracture and upper thoracic vertebrae fractures
Return to Riding Timeframe – Back on the bike preparing for Outdoors.
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 2025
Cameron McAdoo #50 – Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Rnd 8 – Daytona
Injured What? ACL Repair
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-2wks
Next race prediction – Out for 2025
Eli Tomac #3 – Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Rnd 5 – Tampa
Injured What? Fracture Left Fibula
Return to Riding Timeframe – is back preparing for outdoors
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1
Pierce Brown #20 – Star Racing Yamaha
Injured When? Rnd 5 – Tampa
Injured What? T5 vertebrae fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6wks pending surgical outcome
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1
Hunter Lawrence #96 – HRC Honda
Injured When? Rnd 5 – Tampa
Injured What? Shoulder Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – is back preparing on the bike for outdoors
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1
Anthony Bourdon #52 – BarX Yamaha
Injured When? Before Rnd 5 – Tampa
Injured What? Dislocated Hip, Pelvic Fracture and Lumbar vertebrae fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – unclear
Next race prediction – unclear at this time.
Matti Jorgensen #81 – WildCat GasGas
Injured When? Before East Coast started
Injured What? Unspecified Injuries
Return to Riding Timeframe – unclear
Next race prediction – Likely Out for Supercross
Jace Kessler #511 – Dirt Bike Depot KTM
Injured When? Before East Coast started
Injured What? Unspecified shoulder injury requiring Surgery
Return to Riding Timeframe – Back preparing for outdoors
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 2025
Jett Lawrence #1 – HRC Honda
Injured When? Rnd 4 – Glendale
Injured What? ACL and Meniscus
Return to Riding Timeframe – Is back on the bike testing outdoors
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 2025
Drew Adams #98 – Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Rnd 4 – Glendale
Injured What? Collarbone fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – is back testing outdoors with his team
Next race prediction – Rnd 1 MX 2025
Jorge Prado #70 – Monster Energy Kawasaki
Injured When? Rnd 3 – Anaheim 2
Injured What? Shoulder Dislocation
Return to Riding Timeframe – Is preparing for outdoors on the bike since Mid April
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1
Ryder DiFrancesco #25 – Rockstar GasGas
Injured When? Mid Week before Anaheim 2
Injured What? Multiple injuries. Intestine laceration, fracture Elbow and other injuries.
Return to Riding Timeframe – unclear at this time
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 at the earliest
Ty Masterpool #26 – Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Injured When? Rnd 2 San Diego
Injured What? Hand/Finger Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – is back testing outdoors with his team
Next race prediction – Rnd 1 MX 2025
Talon Hawkins #48 – AEO Powersports KTM
Injured When? Rnd 2 San Diego
Injured What? Right Femur Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 5 months
Next race prediction – Possibly the start of Outdoors
Noah Viney #943 – MotoConcepts
Injured When? Rnd 2 San Diego
Injured What? Shoulder Dislocation
Return to Riding Timeframe – Has returned to riding
Next race prediction – His racing return is unclear pending team plans etc.
Stilez Robertson #325 – Triumph
Injured When? Rnd 2 San Diego
Injured What? Aggravation of past Wrist Injury
Return to Riding Timeframe – 8-12wks
Next race prediction – Rnd 1 MX 2025
Evan Ferry #751 – Phoenix Racing Honda
Injured When? Anaheim One
Injured What? Right Achilles Rupture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6 months +
Next race prediction – 2026? Pending rehab outcomes
Casey Cochran #40 – Rockstar GasGas
Injured When? Pre-Season in November 2024
Injured What? Leg Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – has started riding the week of Tampa
Next race prediction – Rnd 1 MX 2025
Robbie Wageman #64 – Team Solitaire
Injured When? Pre-Season in December 2024
Injured What? Wrist Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – Has returned to riding but a racing return is unclear
Next race prediction – Unclear as his team does not do Outdoors
Tre Fierro #158 – Privateer Yamaha
Injured When? Pre-Season in December 2024
Injured What? Right knee – ACL and Meniscus tear
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6 months + pending Rehab procedure
Next race prediction – 2026? Pending rehab outcomes
Keegan Rowley #900 – TiLube Honda
Injured When? Pre-Season in January 2024
Injured What? Wrist Fracture
Return to Riding Timeframe – Preparing for outdoors
Next race prediction – MX Rnd 1 2025
Derek Drake #22 – BarX Yamaha
Injured When? Pre-Season in January 2025
Injured What? Confirmed he has Lyme Disease
Return to Riding Timeframe – 1-3 months to get his diet in order
Next race prediction – Outdoors Rnd 1
Jalek Swoll #22 – Triumph USA
Injured When? Pre-Season in January 2025
Injured What? Right Achilles Rupture
Return to Riding Timeframe – 6 months +
Next race prediction – 2026? Pending rehab outcomes
