Early January of this year Vehvilainen (30) from Siilinjärvi near Kuopio in Finland was ready to return to his Belgian base in preparation for this year’s MX3 World Championship with a desire to win the title.

During a last check by his local doctor another problem was found in his shoulder that needed a new operation. This slowed down the preparation for 08, it now means Jussi has not ridden a bike for 6 months.

“I could not really believe this! On Friday 11th of January I went to see my doctor in Finland for a last check-up to get a green light to start riding again. Something wasn't ok and the doctor decided he needed to make another little surgery. Healing would take 4-6 weeks which delayed my preparation for the 2008 season.” Instead of getting his leg over his bike in January Jussi Vehvilainen was back in hospital.

Here his most recent position:

“This Monday I had meeting with my doctor. It's now almost 8 weeks after the last surgery in January and my shoulder is still very weak, not having full power. My doctor didn't really have any idea why.”

“It will take at least another 6-8 weeks from today to get it right if this last surgery was a success. The first MX3 World Championship round is only 4 weeks away. For sure I will miss many races and I can't really see the point to race if I have no chance to be on top. And don’t forget, my last ride on a bike was in Faenza in September.”

 “I have decided to not participate in the MX3 Championship because of that. My target was to improve last year’s position being third and now I stand no chance.”

“I will be back on a bike when I'm able to ride again. At the moment I don't know when it's going to happen and how. Maybe I start doing Supermoto or beach races or something else. But most important: I won't be a professional racer anymore.”

All his fans and sponsors wish Jussi the best in good health and we realize this must have been the toughest decision in his professional career.