Image: Octopi Media.

Current Lucas Oil Pro Motocross champion Dylan Ferrandis will sit out the remainder of 2022 Monster Energy Supercross to focus on a return to full fitness ahead of his 450MX title defence commencing on 28 May.

Ferrandis withdrew from the tenth round of the 450SX this year due to a wrist injury, and has not returned to competition since, with the outdoors season commencing at Fox Raceway in six and a half weeks.

“Together with the team, we decided to not go back to racing for the remaining rounds of supercross,” Ferrandis explained. “I just returned to riding motocross, and I felt that my wrist was not fully ready to support the load of supercross. It’s a bummer for sure. I will focus on getting my wrist back to 100% and be ready for the outdoor season.”

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha 450 team manager Jeremy Croker added: “Looking at the bigger picture, we made the decision as a team that it was best for Dylan to focus on getting back to feeling 100% for the outdoor season.

“It’s a tough sport, and we have a lot of racing ahead of us, so it’s more important at this point of the supercross season to focus on defending his title in the Pro Motocross Championship.”

Ferrandis experienced a breakout 450MX season last year, landing eight moto victories on his way to taking the title. The Frenchman currently sits ninth in the 2022 450SX points standings, his best coming at San Diego where he finished third.