Yamaha injury blow
By TMX Archives on 6th Apr 12
Yamahas entire MX2 factory squad look likely to miss this weekends GP opener at Valkenswaard in Holland after Arnaud Tonus and Christophe Charlier joined Zach Osborne on the injured list at the weekend.
Charlier broke a small bone in his right foot while practicing in sand on Saturday and, following a minor operation the next day, hopes to return to action in Bulgaria in a fortnight, but the Frenchman is definitely out of the GP opener.
Initial fears of a fracture to the upper arm for Tonus have fortunately proved unfounded but he dislocated his left shoulder and fractured the scaphoid in a big second lap get-off at Canada Heights on Sunday.
The 20-year-old has now returned to Switzerland for further examination and a start in Holland has not yet been ruled out completely, but is most unlikely.
Speaking from the hospital on Sunday afternoon Monster Energy Bike It Cosworth Yamaha team owner, Steve Dixon reported: "The doctors have just put his shoulder back in and initial fears of a broken humerus have fortunately not proved correct, but he has pain in his scaphoid.
"I should have known everything was going too well for us. Zach is definitely out of the opening GPs.
"He has flown back to the States so that he can be treated by the same doctor who plated his collarbone last year, and he could be out for anything up to two months.”
The American underwent surgery on Monday.
While Steve was at the hospital with his 20-year-old Swiss team leader, Mel Pocock – initially signed to fly the flag on the home front – came within a whisker of victory in the second moto at Canada Heights to take over the Maxxis leadership and underline his claim for a GP start next weekend.
But Dixon remained noncommital for the moment: "I haven't yet made a final decision,” he said.
Then on Tuesday it was all sorted. Pocock is confirmed to race the first three GPs as stand-in for Tonus and as preparation for the European MX2 series!
"Everyone can see how much benefit youngsters derive from riding at GP level and it will help Mel get up to speed,” enthused Steve Dixon – just a matter of hours after a Monster Energy Bike It Cosworth Yamaha press release had stated that the 19-year-old rider would NOT be taking up the challenge!
"That was yesterday,” admitted Steve. "Mel and his trainer were not so sure at first, but they have come round to our way of
thinking and seen the
benefits. Mel is on for the first three GPs!
We also want to put a second replacement rider in for Zach. It will probably be the end of the week before we can confirm anything.”
