Image: Simon Cudby.

Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s James Stewart will sit out the final three rounds of the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship after aggravating an existing back injury and fracturing his ankle at last weekend’s St. Louis event.

According the team manager Mike Webb, Stewart suffered a hairline fracture in his ankle during a heat race crash and combined with the existing back injury he believes it’s necessary his rider takes the time off to heal ahead of the upcoming outdoor season.

“James has a hairline fracture in his ankle and he aggravated his back injury from his Daytona crash last week in St. Louis,” said Webb. “Clearly, he needs time to heal and get ready for Hangtown.”

Stewart has been battling injury for most of the supercross season, missing multiple rounds in the process, and recognises it’s the best decision to give his body time to heal.

“I want to be out there racing,” he said. “My fans and sponsors are important to me, but ultimately I need to focus on getting completely healed up and be solid and ready to go the next time I roll-up to the starting gate at Hangtown.”

Stewart will now focus on preparing for the start of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, which kicks off on 21 May at the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, California.