Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Austin Forkner will be forced to miss the 2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship due to a torn left ACL suffered at the Nashville Supercross on April 6.
After weeks of uncertainty, and on the heels of a heartbreaking end to his hopes to winning a first professional 250SX title, Forkner broke the news we all feared on Instagram.
Forkner finished seventh in the 250 Class standings last summer, but given his dominance of the AMA Supercross East Region this winter many anticipated him to contend for the vacant Gary Jones Cup alongside the likes of his teammate Adam Cianciarulo, Yamaha rider Dylan Ferrandis, Suzuki rider Alex Martin, Honda rider Chase Sexton, and KTM rider Shane McElrath. Forkner has one career Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship victory, to go along with seven career podium finishes.
The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki squad will now feature three riders on the gate at the season-opening Bell Helmets Hangtown Motocross Classic on May 18, with Cianciarulo, Martin Davalos, and Garrett Marchbanks.