MxLarge Story
MX News - Desalle, Ramon, Canard and Mackenzie
News Wednesday 13th December 2011
The factory squad with Clement Desalle and new recruit Tanel Leok were joined by Steve Ramon for the two-week session that will end on December 18th. The Belgian has made significant progress after his crash and subsequent spinal trauma at the Grand Prix of Limburg back in August. Ramon has the full backing of the Belgian team that he represented for six seasons at the highest level as he looks to regain his fitness and resurrect his career.
The veteran and former World Champion still has some difficulty related to nerve damage but is working steadily through a rehab programme and his schedule in Portugal is being carefully co-ordinated between his physios, his own capabilities, Demeulemeester and team doctor Sam Vermeiren.
Desalle is also reaching a point of impressive conditioning after recovery from two shoulder operations in August and September. The Belgian is inline for a return to the saddle of his RM-Z450 machine before the end of the year. The 21 year old was joined by Estonian Leok for the team's first important joint activity ahead of their push for the 2012 MX1 title starting next April.
The fresh line-up of the Suzuki Europe MX2 division, involving riders that will carry important representation in the European championship and 125cc two-stroke series as well as the 2012 MX2 FIM Motocross World Championship with the RM-Z250, were also turning their bicycle wheels in anger for what has now become an enlarged but traditional annual appointment for Suzuki's top flight motocrossers.
Team Honda Muscle Milk has confirmed that Trey Canard will miss the opening rounds of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, after undergoing surgery last week.
Canard fractured his collarbone in a crash during practice while preparing for the season opener at Anaheim in California as he and the team were making preparations for the upcoming supercross season when the incident occurred.
“Trey suffered a fracture to his collarbone when he crashed at a team test,” said Team Honda Muscle Milk manager Erik Kehoe. “He underwent surgery and his physicians estimate he will need a recovery time of four weeks at the minimum. It’s very disappointing to see this happen to Trey, especially after all the hard work he’s put in to recuperate from injuries in 2011. He will miss the first few supercross rounds, but our team will continue our preparations for the upcoming season with Trey’s teammate, Justin Brayton.”
Anaheim’s season opener will take place on Saturday, 7 January.
Scotsman Billy Mackenzie is certain that all his hard work could pay off in 2012 when he and Monster Energy Kawasaki enter their third consecutive season together. Mackenzie has re-signed for the Queensland-based operation, admitting that their first two years together have been a learning experience, but his confidence is high ahead of next year.
“I feel like 2012 is going to be a solid year,” Mackenzie added. “The last two years have been a steep learning curve for both the team and I, but through our hard work and results we have now established ourselves as a top team in the pits. With the backing from Monster and all our sponsors, the team has grown bigger and stronger every week.”
Another boost for Mackenzie next season will be the addition of Kawasaki’s 2012 model KX450F, which is all-new for the season ahead.
“I have found a set-up with the 2012 KX450F that I am now completely confident with, so with that covered I can concentrate on riding hard and building my speed up with a bike I love,” he added. I’m really excited to start the season knowing that the only thing I have to concentrate on is my fitness and riding.”
Mackenzie will be partnered by current motocross and supercross champion Jay Marmont on the 450 at Kawasaki next year.
Stanley Leroux Design
