Image: Foremost Media.

Serco Yamaha will draft in Connor Tierney for the Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland and AUS-X Open Melbourne rounds of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship, as a shoulder injury sustained at Wollongong will sideline American Jacob Hayes for the remainder of the season.

Tierney’s call up comes after an incredible race victory in main event three at the third stop of the series last weekend, which saw him lead from start to finish in the seven-lap encounter.

“With Jacob out hurt, Serco Yamaha approached me about doing the last two rounds with them and I can’t wait to be flying the Serco Yamaha flag at the two biggest races of the year,” said Tierney. “Having the support and direction of a team like Serco is a huge bonus and hopefully I can continue to post good results and show them what I’m capable of.”

After promising start to the season, Hayes, who crashed heavily in his heat on Saturday night, will now return to America in order to be completely recovered and prepared for the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

“It’s such a disappointing way to finish the championship, especially as it started so well for myself and the team,” Hayes commented. “There appears to be no major damage, so I just need to rest it and take my time to ensure it’s done right.

“Because I had already had an issue in the Adelaide round and now at Wollongong, I’m out of the championship as far as points go, so it’s best for me to get it sorted now so I’m 100 percent for the start of the AMA championship in January.”