Image: Foremost Media.

Western Australian talent Jayden Rykers has been ruled out of the upcoming 2018 Australian Supercross Championship after undergoing shoulder surgery last week.

The Raceline Pirelli KTM rider damaged his shoulder in an incident at the opening round of the Pirelli MX Nationals, which ultimately put him on the back foot for the remainder of his campaign.

Rykers has elected to sit-out the supercross series in favour of removing hardware previously installed in both of his shoulders, with the worst case scenario of a shoulder reconstruction now dismissed.

“Last year I had plates put in both on my collarbones and scapula, and with the impacts this season to that same shoulder, I needed to get it removed and sorted out,” Rykers told MotoOnline.com.au. “I made the decision to miss supercross based on the worst case, which was to have a shoulder reconstruction.

“Fortunately I didn’t need to go down that path – which is good news – and I had the collarbone plates removed and they completed some incisions to see where the other screws where sitting as it was close to the joint.

“I’ll have a few weeks off the bike – I’m looking forward to that, then I’ll pursue getting set-up for next season financially. Reality will surely set in going back to work, but I’ll be keeping it fun working with some ex pros as well as doing some small events over the next few months.”

Rykers’ absence in supercross means the 21-year-old is yet to complete a full campaign in the discipline, his last two attempts at the series being cut short due to injury.

“Of course it sucks to not go racing and finish off the year, but being injured and always rehabbing something during events takes its toll over 10 rounds both physically and mentally,” he continued. “So I’m happy to have allowed the time to sort everything out and focus on the road ahead. I’ll be still riding a little bit of supercross, but I won’t be racing at this stage.”

The number three wound up 16th in the MX Nationals championship standings, with his best finish of sixth overall coming at Ranch MX’s seventh round in New South Wales.