James Stewart has elected to sit out the remaining rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season.
The Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing pilot will now put all his energy and focus on preparing for the outdoor season.
The 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship kicks off on Saturday, May 21 at the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, California.
“James has a hairline fracture in his ankle and he aggravated his back injury from his Daytona crash last week in St. Louis,” said Yoshimura Suzuki team manager Mike Webb. “Clearly, he needs time to heal up and get ready for Hangtown.”
Stewart has been battling injury most of the Supercross season. Despite his setbacks he’s shown flashes of his characteristic speed. Stewart said even though everything in him wants to be at the final Supercross rounds, he recognises it’s the best decision.
“I want to be out there racing,” Stewart explained. “My fans and sponsors are important to me, but ultimately I need to focus on getting completely healed up and be solid and ready to go the next time I roll up to the starting gate at Hangtown.”
Team-mate Blake Baggett, also battling nagging injuries through a tough season, is slated to race the final three rounds of the Supercross series, including this Saturday’s race at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Stewart will be on hand at next weekend’s round at Met Life Stadium to meet the fans and sign autographs as well as appear on Friday, April 29 at The Motorcycle Mall, 655 Washington Avenue, Belleville, NJ from 6-7pm.
