Image: Jeff Crow.

Raceline Pirelli Suzuki has confirmed the team will miss round eight of the Monster Energy MX Nationals this weekend at Raymond Terrace, with both of their riders Geran Stapleton and Dylan Wilson out injured.

After Stapleton injured himself at Swan Hill and MXD fill-in Wilson crashed out in practice at round seven, the team was hoping to be back to full strength with both riders for round eight.

For Stapleton, sitting out of Conondale was what the body needed, however after riding earlier this week, had been forced to make the tough decision to sit out another round of this year’s championship.

“I rode earlier in the week, and my shoulder is just not right yet, so I don’t want to risk it,” he said. “The doctors have told me at this point that the only thing that is going to fix it is rest, so as much as it sucks, I just need to sit out this one and hopefully it will help.

“I’m hoping that if I have this weekend off that I can try and start riding again next week, and be ready for Gladstone. If everything goes to plan, I should be back for the final two rounds for sure.”

For Wilson, the opportunity to race for the Suzuki backed privateer team was short lived at round seven and he will now miss Raymond Terrace due to his niggling injuries.

“I tried to ride after my crash at Conondale and I knew the shoulder just wasn’t right,” he said. “I tried to push through, and really wanted to race this weekend but the pain is just too much at this point.

“Hopefully if I sit this one out, I will have some time to heal up. I’m disappointed but just trying to keep positive and get ready for the next one.”

The Raceline Pirelli Suzuki truck will still operate at Raymond Terrace and will unofficially support Suzuki’s Hayden Mellross in the MX1 class.