Why Do Guys Crash on Press Day?

Press day crash forces Hampshire out of Fox Raceway National

Motoonline post: Alex Gobert

Surgery on wrist confirmed by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team.

Image: Todd Gutierrez.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire has been forced out of the beginning of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship with a wrist injury sustained following a crash in the latter stages of press day on Thursday afternoon.

The newly-crowned 250SX West champion will miss Fox Raceway’s opener tomorrow, undergoing immediate surgery on the injury overnight, but a potential return date is yet to be determined.

“The highs and the lows of this sport are sometimes tough to swallow, but unfortunately with RJ taking a spill on press day here at Pala, he has injured his wrist,” commented Nathan Ramsey, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team manager.

“It’s a setback, but we can all get through this – I know that RJ and the crew will stay positive. RJ’s tough and he’s mentally strong, so he’ll be back as soon as possible.”

With Hampshire now sidelined and Guillem Farres still out of action, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing will have Malcolm Stewart and Christian Craig on track in 450MX, as well as rookie Casey Cochran in 250MX, when the gates drop on the new season this weekend.

Stitches required for Marchbanks, sidelined indefinitely

Press day crash at Fox Raceway National the culprit for the Yamaha rider's injury.

Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha rider Garrett Marchbanks will miss the start of AMA Pro Motocross after a crash on press day left a gash on his thumb that required stitches. The injury was sustained on the same thumb that Marchbanks had broken at the Nashville Supercross and the reaggravated injury will sideline Marchbanks indefinitely.

The crash happened when Shane McElrath, Jerry Robin and Christian Craig crashed on the backside of a tunnel jump during press day and Marchbanks was the next rider on scene. Not knowing they were down, Marchbanks jumped right onto their bikes and crashed immediately. He was transported to a local hospital where he received stitches for a gash on the crease of his thumb extending from his palm to the back of his hand.

No timetable has been established for his return to racing yet as he and the team further assess the recovery process. The first four rounds of the series take place in four successive weekends which means Marchbanks will need to return very quickly to not miss many races. The team says they will provide further updates on his plan moving forward when more information is available.