Kawasaki made it official today that James Stewart’s knee injury will prevent him from racing the remainder of the AMA Outdoor motocross events this year. Stewart will also miss the Motocross des Nations, and be replaced there by Kawasaki teammate Tim Ferry (who will race along side Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto for Team USA).
Here is the official press release from Kawasaki:
IRVINE, Calif. –Monster Energy Kawasaki announced today that James Stewart will sit out the remainder of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship with a knee injury.
Stewart injured the knee in competition on July 29 in Washington and skipped the following round to rest the knee in hopes of returning to action. But after visiting with knee specialists the past couple of weeks, Stewart decided to end his season and opt for knee surgery, which could be conducted early next week.
“Our goal was to try and finish out the season but we had to look at the long term effects of doing so,” said Team Manager Mike Fisher. “After carefully evaluating all the factors involved, it became clear that preparing for the future was the only viable choice. Kawasaki is behind James 100 percent and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Stewart, 21, won both AMA Supercross and World Supercross titles earlier this season and was leading the AMA Motocross point standings prior to injury his knee.
“I am really bummed that things had to end the way they did, but I really needed to look at my future,” said Stewart. “While I would have liked to have had the chance to win the outdoor title, I know that my health and my long term career are far more important. I am definitely looking forward to the 2008 Supercross season where I hope to bring home both titles again.”
