Press Release

Desalle Operation Successful Ahead of British GP

ocscottie
8/17/2011 1:00pm

Rockstar
Energy Suzuki World MX1's Clement Desalle underwent a successful
operation on his broken left shoulder yesterday (Tuesday) and will now
face a six-week recovery period before beginning rehabilitation.

The
Belgian, who fractured the joint in an accident competing in the
Belgian Championship last weekend, decided to wait until his left limb
was healed before opting for another procedure to fully-fix the right
shoulder he dislocated two months ago which will need a three-week stint
of convalescence.

The fresh injury disruption for the Belgian
team means that only Kevin Strijbos (pictured) is 100% confirmed to face
the British Grand Prix this weekend at Matterley Basin for what will be
the 13th round of 15 in the FIM Motocross World Championship. Kiwi Cody
Cooper has been lined-up to replace Desalle and is set to steer the
works RM-Z450 in both Germany and Italy for the final meetings of the
season in September.

Strijbos recorded third position overall at
the Balen-Mol meeting where Desalle crashed and will take the factory
RM-Z450 to the gate at the scenic circuit next to the town of
Winchester, south east of London. Matterley Basin was inaugurated as a
Grand Prix venue in 2006; the same year that it welcomed a record crowd
for the Motocross of Nations. The local organisers, together with
Championship promoters Youthstream, have worked hard to bring the
competition back to the natural bowl setting with a fast, flowing and
spectacular track. Strijbos has previous experience of Matterley from
'06 where he finished second overall to Stefan Everts and also ran out
for his country.

"It was a pretty good meeting for me at Balen
but it was too bad that Clement had his accident. It means I am the only
one riding for the team this weekend so I hope to do well," said
Strijbos who has been selected for the 2011 Belgian Motocross of Nations
team; the first time he will pull on the national colours since 2006.
Desalle was due to be part of the line-up until his poor luck again in
the domestic series. "Matterley is a nice track with a big layout. It
doesn't feel like there are any sharp turns and you can really attack
it.

"It feels good," he added concerning his Nations berth.
"Again it is a shame for Clement that he will not be there but I am
looking forward to the race...even if St Jean is not my favourite
track."

The early weather forecast for the weekend is typically
British with a day of sunshine on Saturday to be replaced by grey clouds
and rainfall on Sunday.

MX1 World Championship standings (after 12 of 15 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 509 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 461 p.;
3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Yamaha), 428 p.; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS,
Honda), 387 p.; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 378 p.; 6. Rui Goncalves
(POR, Honda), 349 p.; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 308 p.; 8.
Ken de Dycker (BEL, Honda), 268 p.; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 262
p.; 10. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Kawasaki), 254 p. 11. Tanel Leok (EST,
TM), 229 p.; 12. Steve Ramon (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 229 p.; 13. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 204 p.
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