Image: Foremost Media.

Shoulder surgery will rule Japanese racer Haruki Yokoyama out of the remainder of the 2023 Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX), with Caleb Goullet to fill-in for SX2 at the final two rounds.

Yokoyama dislocated his shoulder earlier in the year and, with further dislocations since, the decision was made for him to fly back to Japan for an operation to best correct the issue.

It brings an end to this 2023 season, with Goullet, who works for the Empire Kawasaki team in ProMX, called in for both the Newcastle and Marvel Stadium rounds. The Victorian contested the opener at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre onboard a privateer GasGas MC 250F.

“With Haruki, he dislocated his shoulder a few months ago and just had a couple of moments, he’s on his third dislocation for his shoulder,” Empire Kawasaki team owner Tyson Cherry said. “Decided he wanted to get surgery as he obviously needs that fixed and he can’t afford to keep popping it out. He flew back on Wednesday, he’s going to get surgery on that back in Japan, so he will be done for the year. Then obviously he is working out his own plans for 2024.

“We were searching for a fill-in rider and thought Caleb was a perfect fit. We put him on the bike straight away for testing, and he’ll be finishing the series in place of Haruki.”

Yokoyama was classified 12th at the AUSX season opener before heading home for surgery, while Goullet will join team regulars Matt Moss (SX1) and Cambell Williams (SX3) from Newcastle, which is scheduled for 11 November.