Aussie ace Jed Beaton out for Kegums MXGP with no assurance nagging injury will soon clear
By Andrew Hill on 22nd Apr 22
Jed Beaton will miss MXGP Kegums with a troublesome shoulder injury finally proving too much for the F&H Kawasaki Racing Aussie ace.
Beaton has been racing in some discomfort and lacking strength in the shoulder since suffering a crash at the second round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Mantova last month.
The team and Beaton hope the time away from MXGP competition will allow for an acceleration in his recovery.
After a stunning entry to the MXGP class with sixth place in the opening round at Matterley Basin, Beaton looked like he could be one of the stand-out rookies of the season. But the crash in Mantova that caused the injury to his left shoulder has blunted his performance. Still, with a display of grit and determination at each Grand Prix since, he has maintained a top-12 world ranking.
However, with no significant improvement on the horizon, the rider and team have decided to sit out this weekend's MXGP at Kegums in Latvia.
It's not known when Beaton will be able to return to the bike. However, the team has said that, if necessary, further rounds of the series will be missed to ensure a full recovery and to give the 24-year-old Australian every opportunity to compete at the front of the MXGP field. "A decision on a resumption of a full training programme and a return to racing will be taken in collaboration with the best medical advice," said the team.
Team manager Nathalie Fase said: "Unfortunately, Jed has still too much trouble with his shoulder after the crash in Mantova on the sixth of March. Soon we will receive the results of the hospital check-up from last week and can take it from there. We want to rule out any complications, not take unnecessary risks and wait until everything is clear before Jed starts riding again; the aim is to come back strong as soon as possible."
Beaton says it's frustrating to miss this weekend's Grand Prix but doesn't just want to be making up the numbers. Instead, he wants to come back when he can achieve the results he is capable of producing. "It's obviously a tough pill to swallow but Im looking forward to coming back as strong as at the opening GP when I do return," said Beaton.
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