SBad news for Jorge Prado and his fans. The Spanish star will not be competing in this weekend's eighth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship: the legendary Daytona Supercross. Prado is still working on his recovery after his serious crash in Seattle.
The Red Bull KTM rider showed he possesses raw speed during the sixth round in Seattle, Washington. He set the fastest time in qualifying in the 450SX class and seemed poised to fight for a top result.
But in the second qualifying session, things went wrong. Prado crashed heavily and suffered a Grade 1 contusion/strain of the AC joint, without any actual ligament tears. Although he attempted to start his heat race later that evening, it quickly became clear that racing wasn't an option. Immediately after the starting gate dropped, he steered his bike off the track, realizing he couldn't safely continue.
The injury means that Prado, after Arlington, will now also be forced to miss the famous and equally infamous Daytona Supercross. His focus is now entirely on his recovery, with the goal of returning stronger for the remaining races of the season. In a championship where every week counts, this is a bitter pill to swallow.
What is a Grade 1 AC joint injury?
The AC joint (acromioclavicular joint) is the joint at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the roof of the shoulder (acromion).
A Grade 1 injury means the mildest form of injury:
- There is a bruise or mild strain.
- The ligaments are not torn.
- There is usually no visible deformity of the shoulder.
While not a serious tear, such an injury can be very painful for a supercross rider due to the constant impact, landings, and forces on the handlebars. Recovery requires rest, treatment, and a careful buildup to prevent recurrence.
Foto: KTM Images – ALIGN MEDIA
