Image: Simon Cudby.

Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s James Stewart is aiming to make a return to racing at Anaheim’s third round of the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship following a troubled start to the season.

Stewart was briefly knocked unconscious in the season opener at Anaheim while running near the front early in the main event. He began feeling better during the week and underwent and passed neurocognitive and concussion management testing.

Stewart was cleared by Asterisk Mobile Medical Center personnel to race the San Diego round over the weekend, but after riding in two practice sessions he elected to sit out the event.

The former series champion has hopes to return at Anaheim’s third round of the season this coming Saturday, but his status remains day to day according to team manager Mike Webb.

“We went through the process with the testing and he passed with flying colors,” said Webb. “I talked with the Asterisk Medical guys and they said clearly there was no issue with the testing. We left it up to James to feel it out and tell us how he felt once the blood got pumping and the adrenalin gets going.

“The first session he was ok and picking up the track, but in the second session he just wasn’t comfortable. There was no way we were going to take a chance with his health. We want him to take a couple more days of recovery and we’ll get him back on the bike later in the week.”

Stay tuned for more information on Stewart’s scheduled return to the track.