Slaw Dog
The hits keep coming for Colt Nichols. After missing most of the 250SX East Region due to a shoulder injury, Nichols returned for the end of Monster Energy Supercross in Salt Lake City and finished on the podium at the first three East Region rounds.
At the final round, Nichols collided with eventual East Region Champion Chase Sexton (the incident, as we’ve mentioned, is under review by the Vital Message Board) in the East heat race. Monster Energy/Star Racing Yamaha confirmed today that Nichols sustained a broken bone in his right hand and underwent surgery on Friday June 26 to repair the damage.
According to the team, he will miss the first two rounds of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, which is set to begin July 18.
“I’m very disappointed, to say the least,” says Nichols. “I was really enjoying being back to racing in Salt Lake City and I was happy with the way I was riding. It was good to get back on the podium and run up front, and I was looking forward to carrying that momentum into the MX Nationals.
“I knew that something was broken at the track, but I waited to get back to SoCal with my regular physician to learn the extent of the injury,” adds Nichols. “I broke the third metacarpal bone in my hand – not a horrible injury – but it required a small plate and a few screws to expedite the healing. I originally wanted to try and make it to the first National, but doctors say it needs four-to-six weeks to heal. We’ll play it by ear.”
Nichols also addressed the crash in the press release: “Initially I was thinking ‘How did that just happen?’ but after reviewing the footage of the crash, I realize that I misjudged how close he was to me when I went double-single and cut to the inside. I did look over my shoulder, but I simply didn’t see him. It was a racing incident.”
“We are obviously disappointed that Colt will be out for a bit with injury,” said team manager Wil Hahn. “Colt worked so hard to get back up to speed following his off-season shoulder injury and we were really expecting a lot from him in the MX Nationals this summer. Last summer, he enjoyed the best motocross finishes of his career and he’s sure to better those in 2020.”
Here is the crash. Argue amongst yourselves as to who is at fault:
Main image: Star Racing Yamaha
