Image: Foremost Media.

SX1 title contender Aaron Tanti will seek medical clearance to determine if he will line-up at this weekend’s final round of the 2022 Fox Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) after crashing out of the penultimate stop in Newcastle.

After Tanti went down in the first final multiple times and still salvaged P5, he led the opening half of the second final until falling heavily and bumping his head upon impact. That spelled the end of his night, but he is still hopeful of riding at the Wagga finals.

“I took a hard slap, hit my head and I was just rattled,” Tanti told MotoOnline. “I was definitely in no state to jump back on my bike – I made that decision, as well as the medical crew. I’m working with them now to make sure I’m alright for this weekend.

“Obviously the goal is [to race]. As bad as last weekend was, I’m still technically in the points and I’d like to do the last race of the year… it would be pretty disappointing if I can’t do it and I’m already pretty beat-up, within myself, after the little mistake, but that’s racing, especially in supercross. We’re playing it by ear at the moment.

“I had a pretty rough first race, going down on the first lap and then not a lot of people saw, but I got cross-jumped by another rider later in that race and went down pretty heavy again, so had to fight a fair way back. To come out in that second race, the goal after that was two solid finishes. I knew it was going to be hard to gather the points that I needed, so I just did what I was expecting to do.

“Unfortunately that little mishap ended my night, but I’m definitely feeling good on the bike and I’m confident in my riding that I am one of the best out there at the moment. I will be there this weekend, but will need a medical clearance from Racesafe and, at the end of the day, will respect the final decision of everyone because it is my health and safety.”

Tanti has experienced a breakout year in the 450 class since signing with CDR Yamaha Monster Energy, claiming the national MX1 championship and then winning the Adelaide round of AUSX. He had shared the red plate with defending champion Justin Brayton (Honda Racing) leading into round three, but now sits 12 points back in third position.