Reigning Pro Motocross champion Ryan Dungey will be out for up to eight weeks due to a a cracked vertebrae.
The injury happened on the opening lap of Moto 2 at Thunder Valley MX last weekend. Dungey bounced back from the crash and rode to a fourth place finish in moto 2 – see moto videos here. However, doctors have confirmed that Dungey cracked his C6 Vertebrae in the fall and requires a minimum of 6-8 weeks healing time.
“It’s very difficult to share such disappointing news,” said Dungey. “It’s heart breaking mainly because of all the hard work the team and I have put in preparing to defend the Pro Motocross title this year. But I’m very thankful that the injury wasn’t worse. I will use this time away from racing to recover fully, knowing this will only make me stronger and more motivated. Thank you everyone for your support and understanding.”
“Obviously Ryan being injured is tough on the team,” said Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Roger DeCoster. “At the time we didn’t know about his injury and we were so proud of the way he raced that second moto in Colorado coming from 19th place all the way to almost finish on the podium. But to now know that he accomplished that battling through the pain of a cracked vertebrae shows what an unbelievably tough champion rider he really is. The plan right now is to reassess his return to racing in six weeks’ time once he is reevaluated by his doctor.”
We wish Ryan Dungey a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the bike soon!
Photo: Simon Cudby