Ryan Villopoto to miss the Spanish GP 7

Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team's Ryan Villopoto will regrettably miss the upcoming Grand Prix of Spain; the US champion is still suffering from the coccyx injury sustained at the GP of Trentino.

Despite several weeks of intensive care and Ryan's desire to get back racing in the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship as soon as possible, the multiple US Motocross and Supercross champion has had to postpone his come back. Already a winner in the World championship when he was victorious in Thailand on only his second GP appearance, Ryan has been unable to sit and train on his Kawasaki KX450F-SR since the accident in Italy and is currently in the USA working with his personal trainer Aldon Baker on an intensive fitness programme to recover from this injury. Following his strong performance in the recent GP of Europe at Valkenswaard in the Netherlands South African Tyla Rattray will be the sole representative of the KRT squad at Talavera de la Reina, 80 kilometers west of Madrid, where the Spanish GP, round six of the world series, will be held this coming weekend (May 9/10).

Ryan Villopoto: “My goal is to be back racing as soon as possible, but to have a chance to fight for MXGP wins you must be 100% fit. Together with the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team we did our best for a prompt recovery, but unfortunately we have to wait a few more days before we'll be back racing.”

Steve Guttridge: “This is a small setback, no more, no less. Everyone connected with the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team and the racing project within Kawasaki is putting their best efforts towards a speedy recovery for Ryan. We expect to see him back, fit and fighting for podiums again very soon.”

François Lemariey: “Unfortunately Ryan is not ready for this weekend; we know that he is working hard to recover, and the entire team is behind him. We know how dedicated he is, and we expect to see him back with us within a few days.”