Image: Foremost Media.

Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Alex Larwood will miss the remainder of the 2023 season after it was confirmed he will undergo surgery on his shoulder at the end of May.

Larwood’s season got off to an up-and-down start, as the 19-year-old showed flashes of the speed we saw last season, but like 2022, his season will come to a premature end after bowing out due to a shoulder injury that will require a full reconstruction.

Larwood’s season-best moto finish was fourth place, which he managed twice in the opening three rounds. The first time came in moto two at Appin, and then again in moto two at Wodonga. His best overall finish came at round three in Wodonga, where the South Australian finished the weekend fifth.

“At the beginning of the month we did a state round at Gillman to prep for the ProMX round that’s coming up,” Larwood told MotoOnline. “I was just coming through a little double-double section and got a little bit sideways. When the bike kicked sideways it actually dislocated my shoulder and I ended up crashing because of it. I went and had scans and it turns out I need a full shoulder reconstruction again, so that’s not ideal at all.

“I had a reconstruction last year on my right shoulder, so I’ve almost missed two seasons with the shoulder injuries. It’s definitely a bummer as you could imagine, it’s definitely not how I’ve wanted my career to go so far. I know these things happen in our sport, but it really does suck. We’ll just get it sorted and rebound for next year. I feel like I’ve got a lot to offer, I just need to get on top of these injuries and I’ll come out swinging.”

The series is set to resume this Sunday, 28 May, as the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship heads to Gillman, South Australia. With both Larwood and his teammate Jayce Cosford out of action, Yamalube Yamaha Racing is yet to announce if a rider will fill-in for the outfit this weekend.