If you are a Supercross fan like me, then you are already aware of the extreme physical requirements for the riders of this sport. The latest injury report was released Friday, and after only four races, the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross — an FIM World Championship — series has already proven to be one of the most injury riddled years in Supercross history. So far, every single race this season has had at least one rider break a bone, including three riders with broken vertebrae.
Let’s start with the season opener, Anaheim 1. Josh Hill was back this year after nearly career-ending injuries caused by a back flip attempt that went horribly wrong. In the first turn of the first heat, he was caught in a small pile up which resulted in a broken tibia.
Round 2 in Phoenix laid claim to Austin Stroupe where he crashed so hard that he was literally knocked unconscious. Tommy Hahn was also a victim of Phoenix as he broke his left fibula.
The next week in Los Angeles has been the most dangerous race this season. Trey Canard, who was racing just his second race back from an injury, was taken victim once again in the first turn of the 450 main event. A tough block banner got caught in his foot peg, causing him to double the first turn triple jump. Ryan Morais tripled the jump and landed square on top of Canard. Morais suffered a broken jaw, collapsed lung, broken ribs, a concussion, and several broken vertebrae. Canard’s injuries include a broken back that required surgery.
Round 4 in Oakland at the o.Co coliseum claimed Lites Class rider Tyla Rattray as he fractured his C-7 vertebrae and suffered a concussion.
So here’s the question: why all the injuries? Are the tracks too dangerous? Should the riders be forced to wear more protective gear? In my opinion: yes and yes. It’s not that the jumps are too big or the bikes are too powerful, but they are trying to fit too much into to small of an area. I also think that they should not allow jumps to be tripled out of the first turn of the first lap. There are just too many riders in such a small area to attempt such jumps.
As far as protection is concerned, you can’t go out on the track without a helmet, so why should you be able to go out without protection for your neck and back? A lot of riders say it’s not comfortable, but I wonder how they feel about neck and back braces that result from not wearing proper protection. If it’s their sponsors’ logo placement that’s the issue with covering their jersey with a chest protector, they could just put the logos on the chest protector, or simply wear it under their jersey. Whatever the reason for all the serious injuries of late, I think things can and should be done to give more protection to the riders.
