Hitachi REVO Husqvarna’s MX2 title contender James Dunn has been forced to sit out the fourth round of the Maxxis British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean at Desertmartin this Sunday.
The talented 21-year-old, who was drafted into the team’s full GP line-up at the start of May, has suffered a couple of heavy crashes since his world championship debut in Latvia.
Despite hitting his head in qualification at the German GP, James picked up points for a race two 16th. However, another heavy impact at the third round of the Maxxis series at Hawkstone Park last month – while he was tied for the championship lead – has resulted in delayed repetitive concussion.
After consulting with a specialist his team has decided to withdraw him from the event.
“Obviously, I’m very disappointed,” said James. “Hawkstone was a huge low point for me but the way I’ve started the season has filled me with confidence and I know I’m fast enough to run at the front.
“Having said that, concussion must be taken seriously and I agree with the team’s decision. Although it’s a very tough call, missing Desertmartin is the right thing to do.”
For REVO owner Mark Yates, as soon as he’d heard the specialist’s decision there was only one course of action.
“James suffered a knock to the head at the German GP which didn’t affect him too much but at Hawkstone, when he was defending his joint leadership of the British championship, he had a bad bang to the head,” said Mark. “That affected him immensely – he just wasn’t with it and we had to pull him out of the second moto.”
With rider well-being of paramount importance to the team, on doctor’s orders James sat out GPs in Spain and France before the decision was made to miss Desertmartin. He rode on Wednesday but was still suffering from the effects of his crashes and the decision was automatic.
“It’s a big decision to withdraw him from Desertmartin,” added Mark, “but we’d rather he was fit for the British GP next weekend. I spoke to James and we decided it would be far better to take the extra week for a bit more recovery.
“This way he can get out for a couple of days next week and, although he’ll have missed another race, he’ll still be better prepared. He’s understood that and I spoke to team owner Roger Magee and he’s supported that as well.
“The British Grand Prix is important to any British rider and we feel that even although he’ll be going in there cold it’s far better to have the extra recovery time. We’ll be testing next week and see how he goes. Our main focus is that he can go to Matterley Basin as prepared as possible.
“Obviously, from a team point of view – especially, given the great start he made to the season – it is disappointing but his well-being is our biggest priority and the British Grand Prix is something to give himself to work towards.”
