Injuries sustained in Saturday night’s SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Final will unfortunately rule Chase Sexton out of the upcoming 2024 FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN), where the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider was due to represent Team USA. Words: KTM
The impact to Sexton’s back and shoulder on the opening lap of 450SMX Moto 1 in Las Vegas has resulted in him withdrawing from the MXoN weekend scheduled for October 4-6 at Matterley Basin in the United Kingdom. Medical evaluations this week have also confirmed that he suffered a bone contusion to his right hand and wouldn’t be at 100 percent fitness in time for the event.
Chase Sexton:
“Obviously it’s really disappointing to have my season end the way it did in Las Vegas. I’m especially disappointed that I am not going to be able to compete at this year’s MXoN. There’s no greater honour than representing your country on the world stage and it’s a role that I take seriously, but unfortunately my body is pretty banged up right now and I have a bone contusion in my right hand that is going to limit my ability to perform at my best next week. Team USA deserves nothing but the best, healthiest three athletes on the team and unfortunately that’s just not me right now.”
Ian Harrison – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager:
“MXoN is a unique event and being at the end of the long racing calendar year, it’s tough to have riders all fit and healthy after so much racing. We were lucky enough to have both Chase and Aaron Plessinger in the starting line-up for des Nations this year, but unfortunately Chase took a big hit to his body at the final SMX round in Las Vegas and won’t be healed up in time to race next week. However, Aaron is still ready to go and we look forward to supporting him alongside Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac at Matterley Basin.”
Reigning AMA Pro Motocross 450MX Champion Sexton had previously been named in the U.S. team as its MXGP Class entry, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Aaron Plessinger to feature in the Open Class on his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. Plessinger will now be partnered with Eli Tomac (MXGP) – confirmed as Sexton’s replacement – and Cooper Webb (MX2).
Image: Red Bull KTM
