Another Motocross of Nations team has suffered injury ahead of the RedBud October 6/7 event with Team Ireland MXoN’s Stuart Edmonds dropping out through injury.
Team Ireland manager Philip McCullough announced the news yesterday after Edmonds crashed during practice at the final round of the MX Nationals at Cusses Gorse.
After breaking his right arm in May and working very hard to get himself back to full fitness ready for RedBud, Edmonds made his return to racing at the weekend. Sadly his day at the office ended before it had really begun. The Irishman slammed forward on his Husqvarna and re-broke his right arm.
“It is with regret, as team manager, I have to inform everyone that Stuart Edmonds had a crash this morning in practice at the MX Nationals and unfortunately re-broke his right arm again,” said McCullough.
“After speaking to Stuart personally, and feeling his pain and disappointment on the phone, all I could say was, āsituations like this donāt build character Stuey, they reveal itā.
“I want to wish Stuart all the best with his recovery and hopefully he will be back again next year to fight for his place on the Team.”
Team Ireland had already announced that Richard Bird as the stand-in rider for MX1/Open and he will now step in for Edmonds. “On a positive note I want to welcome Richard Bird into Irelandās MXoN Team, this is āDickysā second time to represent Team Ireland at the highest level,” added McCullough.
“After clinching, not only the Irish MX1 championship a few weeks back, Richard won all three races yesterday at the penultimate round of the Ulster MX1 championship at Laurelbank, leaving him with only a few points needed in the final round to secure another domestic title.”
Bird then travelled overnight to compete at the MX Nationals, winning the Expert MX1 championship to round out an excellent season.
“Everyone involved in Team Ireland wants to wish Stuart all the best in his recovery and also welcome Richard Bird into the Team as the MX Open rider on board his KTM 450cc machine,” said McCullough.
Team Ireland MXoN 2018 rider line-up is now Graeme Irwin (MX1), Richard Bird (Open) and Martin Barr (MX2).
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