Luke Clout will replace SX2 rider Jimmy Decotis on the Honda Genuine Racing Team for the remaining rounds of the Australian Supercross Championship.
Reigning Australian Supercross Champion Jimmy Decotis will not take part in the last 4 rounds following a serious concussion sustained in round 2 of the championship at Toowoomba.
Decotis crashed whilst challenging for the lead in his heat race. The team and Decotis discussed all options and decided it would be best that he took as much time as required to recover.
“The team have been fantastic. I couldn’t remember anything following the crash and I have been getting headaches. Head injuries can ruin careers and we decided that I should take as much time out as I need to recover. I need to thank the team for being so patient and understanding” – said Decotis.
Understandably disappointed in the circumstances surrounding his need to bow out of the competition Decotis said; “I came here to win another championship and I never imagined this was how I would be going home. I was honest with the team and told them I wouldn’t be 100% until the final round and that they should look at putting someone else on”
Thankful for the opportunity to race in the Australian Supercross again this year Decotis added; “I can’t thank the team and the sponsors enough and I am sorry this is how it’s ended up. I wish them and Luke Clout the best for the remainder of the series.”
Team Owner Yarrive Konsky looked at all options and decided it was best for Jimmy to go home and recover in an effort to be fully fit for the up and coming AMA Supercross Championship.
“Jimmy hit the ground very hard; we have all seen the footage…. we can’t determine how soon a rider should return from a serious head injury,” said Konsky.
The team then decided Luke Clout would be a fine replacement rider for the team. Clout was the 2014 Australian Motocross Champion and 2015 Runner up Champion and has spent 2016 competing in America.
Looking forward to racing again and excited for the call up, Clout said; “I am sorry to see Jimmy get hurt and I hope he recovers quickly. I want to thank the team for giving me this opportunity. I am so happy to be racing again and I look forward to lining up in Adelaide next week for round 3 of the Penrite Australian Supercross Championship”
Team Manager Steve Powell believes Luke Clout was the perfect fit and said; “Luke is an Australian champion, has had US experience. He also had no contractual ties with any competing motorcycle brand and or industry related brands. He was eager to get back to racing and he had proven to be a great and fierce competitor”.
Round 3 of the Australian Supercross kicks off on Saturday 29th October.
