Monster Energy Yamaha riders continue comeback efforts

The recovery and rehab programmes of several Monster Energy Yamaha riders are in full flow as the FIM Motocross World Championship moves onto round twelve of sixteen this weekend in the Czech Republic.

Arnaud Tonus underwent a small and successful procedure last week (Friday 27th) to remove a screw in the wrist he fractured in a pre-season crash. The Swiss is hopeful the operation will help cure some of the arm-pump problems he has been experiencing in the last few Grands Prix as the slightly restricted movement in the joint had been affecting his riding posture. The relatively small scale of the surgery means that the talented 21 year old is expected to be back on the bike and in good shape for Loket on August 5th.

Two days prior to the Czech Grand Prix (Friday 3rd) Christophe Charlier will go under the knife to fix his right shoulder. The former European Champion suffered a brief dislocation at the French GP at St Jean D’Angely in June and despite a concerted attempt to return to action did not have the strength or confidence to be able to steer his YZ250FM due to the damage caused at his home round. Charlier persevered through events in Sweden and Latvia but it was clear an operation was required and the talented racer is expected be on a motorcycle again in early October. American Micheal Leib is due to resume riding today (Tuesday 31st) in the United States after battling the effects of Epstein-Barr virus and is slated for a return to Grand Prix in two weeks at Matterley Basin in Britain for round thirteen.

Steven Frossard (knee reconstruction) and David Philippaerts (wrist surgery) are both fully on the mend and negotiating their own carefully planned and observed timetables towards a winter training period at 100% fitness.

In what has been a difficult (and unprecedented) season for the Monster Energy-backed factory team in terms of injuries there have been several outstanding highlights. Chiara Fontanesi has been in ruthless form on her YZ250F and could wrap up the FIM Women’s World Championship (Yamaha’s first title in the category) as early as the British Grand Prix next month. Mel Pocock has a 100% win record in three rounds and six motos of the European EMX2 series and also holds the red plate in the competitive MX2 British Championship on his Dixon-run YZ250F.