Kevin Strijbos will not line-up for the Grand Prix of Trentino this weekend. The Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP rider has not been able to ride his RM-Z450 since having an operation to ease pain and pressure in his right wrist prior to the Grand Prix of Argentina and remains a doubt to be in contention for the European round of the calendar ā the fifth meeting of 18 ā next week at Valkenswaard in Holland.
“I will try to ride a bit at the weekend and Valkenswaard is still a question mark because I want to be 100 per cent when I come back and do not want to be going for a 10th or 15th place,” the 28 year old said.
Strijbos endured the wrist problem prior to the Grand Prix of Qatar and even though he came through the following meeting in Thailand without much discomfort the Belgian had to acknowledge the ongoing presence of an issue that would restrict his potential to aim for another top three position in the MXGP standings.
Team-mate Clement Desalle takes the red plate to Italy this week and will aim for a second overall victory in a row at the tight and tricky hard-pack circuit. Strijbos however will play a waiting game and if he cannot tackle the Dutch sand in 10 days time will certainly eye the Spanish Grand Prix on May 9-10.
“It has come too soon for me. I’m not ready at the moment and I want to race again when I will be in a position to go for good results and not just ride around for 10-15th place,” he commented. “We have to see it day by day, it depends on how the riding is going and how the wrist responds.”
