Injury Update and Statement Regarding Christophe Pourcel's 2011 Contract 1

We just received the following from Christophe Pourcel's agent, and it provides an insight into what's been happening with Christophe since Pala.

After sustaining a disappointing season ending shoulder injury at the AMA Motocross Championship finale in Pala California in September, Christophe Pourcel spent the following two weeks seeing various orthopedic specialists in the US and consulting with the internationally acclaimed shoulder specialist Dr. Gilles Walch and his personal physician Dr. Olivier Dufour. It was then decided that he would return to France and consult with Dr. Walch’s team for the final diagnosis and then proceed on their recommended course of treatment. It was determined that the best way forward was to perform an operation to repair the injuries. After surgery he then went to the Cap Breton CERS facility in France to spend five weeks in a live-in physical therapy program and is now in his final days there. It is expected that at the conclusion of his scheduled program he will be cleared to return to riding.

As rumor, speculation and public comments regarding his contract negotiations for 2011 continue to proliferate throughout the sport of motocross Christophe would like to set the record straight and offered the following comments:

“I’ve read and heard many of the things that have been said about me and my pursuit of a ride for 2011 and nothing I’ve seen has accurately portrayed the situation. I prefer to conduct my business dealings in private but feel this situation needs to be addressed publicly to combat the misinformation that is out there. The only thing that I have asked for or have sought, has been something that would provide me with a program that is comparable to the way that that my competitive set of riders are being compensated and supported. I am not “holding out” for a specific amount of compensation as has been stated by a certain corporate spokesperson, but I have sought and continue to work toward a deal that allows me to have the resources I need to be competitive and to plan for my future after racing. I understand that times are hard for everyone and economic realities apply to me too, but I have to have access to the same type of resources that my competition have in order to be competitive with them. I’ve invested the results of my success so far in the United States back into the United States and hope to be able to continue to race there and enjoy the way of life there, in what I consider my second home country. We are currently working on options that would allow me to do that and hope to have some news soon. I’m working hard so that I can continue to compete in the sport that I love and has been the passion of my life for as long as I can remember. I can’t thank the people who believe in me enough, and their continued support will get me through this challenging time.”

About Christophe Pourcel:

Christophe Pourcel grew up in a motocross family in France and began riding at the age of five. He went on to become an accomplished amateur racer and turned professional at the age of 15 when he was one of the last riders to qualify for an MXGP on a two-stroke, as the sport was transitioning to four-strokes.

In 2006 Pourcel became the 3rd youngest FIM Motocross World Champion in history at 18 years of age by winning the MX2 Class Championship. His debut in AMA Supercross Lites racing in 2007 resulted in a 2nd place finish in his first race and a win in his second race in Phoenix before returning to Europe for another year of FIM MXGP competition. After suffering a catastrophic injury in August of 2007 during his MX2 title defense, he was forced to miss the 2008 season. He returned to competition in 2009 in the AMA Supercross Lites class and won his first race back and went on to claim the AMA Supercross Lites East Championship and successfully defended that title in 2010.

Born: August 16th, 1988 Marseille, France

Currently residing in Groveland Florida, USA