British Dilemma

2017 has been a strange and unfortunate season for British riders.

Multiple GP winner Tommy Searle injured himself in a pre-season accident, that saw him hurt his knee. The injury happened in January, and now five months later, he is finally back racing, but not ready for the rough and rigor or the Grand Prix scene. Instead he will race a minor national race in his homeland to prepare for possible the Grand Prix of Russia or Lombardia, Italy.

Next up was former MX2 GP winner Max Anstie. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider missed the MXGP of Trentino and the European Grand Prix in Valkenswaard a week later due to a knee injury.

The MXGP rookie sustained a left knee injury back in April. “It’s always disappointing when a rider is unable to compete due to injury, but that’s a part of our sport,” said team manager Antti Pyrhonen at the time. “Max had enjoyed a good start to the season, and has been steadily improving his speed and consistency. We’re thankful his injury isn’t a serious one, with a little time to recover he will soon be back to full fitness.”

Anstie returned for the Grand Prix of Latvia, scoring 27 points and is currently the best placed British rider, down in 13^th place in the MXGP series points.

Shaun Simpson, who had given the British representatives a shining light, with his Grand Prix win in the mud-fest of Indonesia, but his luck ran out at the Grand Prix of Latvia, where he suffered a broken hand which required surgery.

At the time the Scottish rider flew back to Belgium for an appointment with a hand and foot specialist who repaired his third metacarpal with a plate, five screws and two nails. After a successful operation, he was discharged from Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Herentals, Belgium, but the recovery is a long one.

Simpson hopes to make his Grand Prix return at the MXGP of Lombardia in Italy on the weekend of June 25^th and his current position in the MXGP point standings of 14^th will drop badly as he missed the Grand Prix of Germany, and will miss France this weekend, and the Russian Grand Prix, before a hopeful return in Italy.

If it was bad enough for the British MXGP riders, injury has also caused problems for the MX2 boys. Their best placed rider in that class is Adam Sterry, who holds down 16^th in the series points, but he too is injured and will likely miss a handful of rounds, possibly the rest of the season.

It seemed like youngsters Ben Watson and Conrad Mewse will have to hold the fort now, Watson 17^th in the points and Mewse 19^th, although Mewse has also just received an injury to his ankle. Ruling him out of the German Grand Prix two weeks ago.

"After two amazing weeks of training and a great last GP everything was going perfect, until I landed heavy off a jump and broke a small bone in my left ankle. It's a massive disappointment that I will miss this weekend's GP, but will be back in France. Best of luck to the team.”

Now going into France this weekend, it will be up to Anstie in the MXGP class and Watson in MX2 to try and give the travelling British fans something to get excited about.

Author:

Geoff Meyer