Image: Simon Cudby.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart has officially pulled out of this weekend’s AUS-X Open in Sydney, however event organisers still awaiting any formal communication from the American icon.

A post from Stewart on social media overnight indicates that he won’t be appearing to race at Allphones Arena this weekend, but AUS-X Open officials are still eager to have him come to sign autographs for the Australian fans.

“Just want to keep you all in the loop,” Stewart wrote. “As you probably all know, I went down in Paris and hurt my ankle a week or so ago. Nothing is broken, but there’s some pretty good damage and after all the tests the doctor tells me I have a lot of work and rehab to go through in order to make the gate at A1.

“Needless to say, I’m pretty devastated. It seems my only luck has been bad luck lately. I’m bummed because the last thing I want to do is let down the fans, especially you all in Australia. Again I’m truly sorry and wish I had better news for all of us. I really appreciate all of your support.”

It was revealed last night that AUS-X Open has secured Cooper Webb for the two-event program this weekend, 28-29 November, with Ricky Carmichael also added to the line-up in a rare one-on-one dual with Aussie hero Chad Reed.