Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jordi Tixier will shortly learn when he can start preparations to ride the new KX450F and make his debut in the MXGP class after recovering from two operations on his right wrist.
The 2014 MX2 World Champion fell and dislocated the joint at the Grand Prix of Lombardia last August and despite seeming to put the injury behind him was forced to go under the knife to fix a broken ligament for the second time at the beginning of the year.
“Everything was going well according to the doctor but when I started riding in December it was still painful,” the Frenchman explains, exclusively. “I saw many specialists and they said my wrist was good but I’d just have to wait because it was a bad injury. I kept on riding but at the end of December I couldn’t even hold the grip because of the pain. After more checks we found that the ligament had broken again. I was really frustrated because I felt really good on the bike. My speed wasn’t so bad even with the pain.”
The course of action meant that Tixier would effectively miss the first half of his maiden season in the premier class and dealt a blow to Monster KRT’s hopes for the 23-year-old to learn and gather pace. “I had no choice but for more surgery and it was very difficult mentally to go back to zero,” he says. “The ligament was re-fixed with stitches so I was lucky and it didn’t need a screw. It now feels good, no pain, and I have to wait until next Wednesday when I will know when I can start moving it and even start riding. Hopefully take this cast off!”
If #911 receives positive news then he will accelerate plans for his comeback to the track, which could happen by early summer. “We will see how it goes but one goal is to start by Talavera [Grand Prix of Spain] by the end of May,” he states. “I cannot really say anything now about when I will be back but I miss it so much.”
