Maxime Grau diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus - out of EMX250 for recovery
By Andrew Hill on 23rd Feb 22
European Motocross EMX250 Maxime Grau
It has been announced that Maxime Grau will step away from racing indefinitely while he takes the necessary time to recover from a recently diagnosed Epstein-Barr virus.
The French starlet who competes in the EMX250 class for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing was due to start his season at Mantova next weekend. The 16-year-old young gun impressed last term with some excellent results, despite unknowingly suffering from the illness that can cause infected people to feel fatigued for several weeks or months.
While Grau is disappointed, he's thankful for clarification after suffering from unexplained fatigue last season. Although there is an uncertain timescale for his recovery, the factory team will provide "full support" to get him back "doing what he loves the most".
The press release follows below.
Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing will support Maxime Grau, who was set to compete in the EMX250 class that runs alongside the FIM Motocross World Championship, as he takes the necessary steps to make a full recovery from the Epstein-Barr Virus. Thorough examinations in the wintertime revealed that Grau has had Epstein-Barr in his system for some time. The team, along with a group of specialists, determined that the best course of action would be to take the time to make a full recovery, in order to protect his rather bright future and ensure that he can garner the results that he truly deserves.
Unknowingly racing with the virus through the previous term, Grau impressed with his raw speed in his debut aboard the FC 250. The fact that he was capable of landing on the podium, despite competing against riders much older than him, was clear for all to see. Twelfth was the position that he eventually secured in the final championship standings, with a season-best finish of fourth in moto one at the Grand Prix of Great Britain. Taking seventh overall at the Grand Prix of Pietramurata, via 8-5 moto scores, was another highlight of his rookie term.
The Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team will start the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship at the Grand Prix of Great Britain this coming weekend. Kay de Wolf and Roan van de Moosdijk will represent the team in the MX2 division.
Rasmus Jorgensen (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): "It is difficult to accept that something like this has to sideline you for a big part of the season, especially when you are 16 years old. I know Maxime is very disappointed but also relieved at the same time as he did not feel good physically at all last season. He has our full support, and we will keep monitoring the situation with top doctors and professors specialising in this area. We cannot wait to see Maxime back on the bike and doing what he loves the most."
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