So we have had the good news of all the riders which are making comebacks this weekend in the MXGP of italy at the Ottobiano track, now we have to look at the unfortunate riders that are forced to sit this one out.

Van Horebeek #89

An unfortunate collision during qualifying in Russia left the Belgain with a disslocated finger. He was hoping to return quickly but unfortunatly, after taking advice from the medical team, has forced him to sit this one out. It's good news that he will be back in the thick of it soon though.

Van Horebeek Said:

"It's a bummer to not be racing in Ottobiano; I really like that track and I have always felt like I am really fast there," Van Horebeek said in a recent press release. "It's going to be difficult for me not to be on the line, but I am more focused on my training now and coming back stronger than before. I will see the doctor on Friday and hopefully have the plaster taken off my hand. They will tape my two fingers together and it shouldn't be too long after that that I can be back on the bike. I will make a decision based on the strength and pain in my hand next week whether I return in Portugal or Loket."

Kevin Strijbos #22

The long term Suzuki World MXGP rider Kevin Strijbos withdrew earlier in the season after the MXGP of europe. He had ongoing elbow issues that were not healing so was forced to sit out and take time to recover. He will not be ready for Italy though but it's looking hihghly likely he will be back for Aguenda.

Kevin Strijbos said:

"I won’t be lining up in Ottobiano, but I’ve got the all clear from the doctor and have actually started riding again this week," he said in a press release. I’m pretty excited to get back out there, start racing again and hopefully I’ll be good to go for the MXGP of Portugal, which is the round after next."

His deal with Suzuki will run its course at the end of this season and he has obviously lost a great deal of points. He will have to hang it all out there on his return to impress them and earn a factory ride next season.

Hunter Lawrence #96

The doom and gloom in the Suzuki camp continues as Hunter Lawrence will also miss Italy. Hunter has had an amazing few weeks and been a hot contender for some podiums! Bad luck caught up with him though at the ADAC MX Masters and he sustained a compressed vertebrae... Tough luck for a rider finding such good form as he has been in.

Hunter Lawrence said:

“I will be sitting out the MXGP in Ottobiano, as I had a crash when racing the ADAC championship in Germany," he said. "I thought I was ok afterwards and thought I’d be good enough for the weekend, but I’ve since found out that I suffered a compressed vertebrae and it’s too serious for me to consider lining up for the MXGP. I didn’t feel like I was anywhere close to my limit when I crashed, it was just one of those unfortunate things. Now I’m just going to concentrate on my recovery so I can be back behind the starting gate as soon as possible."

All riders will be getting the best expert care and we hope to see them all back soon.