The TM Racing Australia Duo of Simon Thompson and Ryan Ziepes came in to the opening round of the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals full of confidence and looking for a solid outing to get the season started.
Despite coming in to the opening round under a bit of an injury cloud with a sore back, Thompson laid down a solid lap during qualifying and went in to the first race with the 18th pick of the 40 gate start.
When the gate dropped on the first moto the Queensland based 27 year old jumped out well and was running inside the top five through the first lap of the race. Maintaining a solid pace and continuing to run inside the top half of the field despite some discomfort things were looking good for the TM MX 450 Fi rider.
However disaster struck for Thompson near the very end of the opening race, when he over jumped a jump, flat landing and re aggravating his back injury.
While initially trying to continue racing, the pain became too much and he was forced to pull out of the rest of the day's racing.
"I'm a little disappointed that I did not finish the race," explained Thompson, "There was just over a lap to go, but I had lost feeling in my right leg and to be honest it gave me a scare.
"At this point in time I will be out until Conondale, I am pretty much living at the physio at the moment, but my plan is to return for Conondale and be 110% ready to go," he added.
"I have to thank Andrew and the whole team, they have been so supportive, I just wish I could have come in to the first round 100% fit and I could have stayed inside the top ten in the opening moto.
