The 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship could be over for three factory riders in the MXGP and MX2 series including Honda World Motocross’ Max Nagl.
The German was involved in a freak training crash collision yesterday (Wednesday) in Holland together with Mike Kras and also Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna’s Todd Waters.
Although details have yet to be confirmed Nagl looks to have injured his hand or wrist and several ribs. The former GP winner is currently having further medical checks to determine the extent of the damage.
Update: Honda confirm… After a full medical examination following yesterday’s crash whilst testing in Eersel, Holland, Max Nagl #12 has been confirmed with a broken scaphoid in his right hand and a slight metacarpal fracture in his left hand. His ribs are sore but there is no damage to the bones.
Max will undergo surgery to his scaphoid tomorrow in Belgium. He is initially setting his sights on a return to action at the #MXGP of Italy in Maggiora, 14-15 June, although at this point it is difficult to predict the speed of recovery.
Husqvarna issued a press release this morning stating that Waters, who landed on a fallen rider at the Eersel circuit in the Netherlands while training in the sand for the Dutch MXGP on May 4, broke both bones in his left leg, his right collarbone and sustained a small fracture to his right hip.
The Australian is expected to be out for three months and means that for the second time this season the Finnish team are looking for a replacement rider. Pascal Rauchenecker could be another option although the Austrian was previously filling in on the works FC350 for Tyla Rattray and Waters’ 450 could be a different prospect.
The third victim was Rockstar Suzuki’s Glenn Coldenhoff, leader of the Dutch Championship and third in the MX2 FIM World Championship after winning two motos in the last three Grands Prix.
Coldenhoff crashed at Honda Park and ripped the lateral ligaments from his left knee as well as suffering a compression fracture to one of the leg bones. The Dutchman will be out until the autumn. It is a bitter blow for the German squad who have suffered injury misery for the past three years.
