Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz will miss the official MotoAmerica test March 10-11 at Barber Motorsports Park due to an injury he suffered when he crashed while training at a motocross track in Georgia.
“Unfortunately, my (right) collar bone is done,” Scholtz told Roadracingworld.com Monday. “I had been to this track a couple of times before, but they had changed the layout since I was there last. It was in my first few laps and I hit a kicker wrong and went over the bars. It didn’t seem that big at first and I pushed my bike back to the pits, but then I noticed my collarbone was trying to stick out of my shoulder.
“I went to see the orthopedic doctor already and I’m going in for surgery on Wednesday [March 11]. They’re going to be putting a plate in, and one week after that I’ll be able to take it out of the sling and start doing physio.”
Asked if he thinks he will be fit to ride in the first races of the season, scheduled April 3-5 at Circuit of The Americas, Scholtz said: “I’ll be more than fine by then. We actually have a test scheduled March 20 at VIR, and I’m hoping to be at that.
“It’s just unfortunate that it happened right before the Barber test. We just tested a couple of weeks ago at Jennings GP, but this was going to be out first test with out full 2020 package: engine, fairings everything. But the team is going to try to have someone ride my [Yamaha YZF-R1] Superbike to get some of the bugs sorted out and have it ready for my return.”
More, from another press release issued by Westby Racing:
Mathew Scholtz Injured In Training Crash, Ruled Out Of MotoAmerica Official Dunlop Preseason Test
Tulsa, OK – March 9, 2020 – Mathew Scholtz, rider of the #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike, suffered one of the most untimely of injuries when he fractured his right clavicle and sustained additional bumps and bruises in a crash while training aboard a motocross bike on Sunday. The crash and resulting injuries occurred just two days prior to the first day of MotoAmerica’s annual Dunlop Preseason Test, which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday at Barber Motorsports Park.
“It was literally a first- or second-gear crash,” Mathew said. “I just came in a little too quickly, and before I knew it, I was over the bars and on the ground. The pain isn’t as bad as the immediate realization and disappointment that I am going to miss the test. It’s one thing for me to miss seat time on the Superbike, but I’ve let my team down, and they’ve been working so hard this off-season. We were really looking forward to this test. Riding motocross bikes for training is a necessary part of my program, and it’s unfortunate that this happened when it did. I’m going to have surgery the day after tomorrow, and I’ll be able to get on a stationary bike and keep my fitness up.”
According to Mathew, he will have surgery on Wednesday to have the fracture plated, and he’ll begin rehabbing immediately.
Team manager Chuck Giacchetto commented, “Obviously, the timing on this development presents a challenge for Mathew and our team. But, I have never seen a rider more physically fit than ‘The Scholtz Kid.’ His body is a temple. He had a man-to-man talk with (team owner) Tryg (Westby) about what happened. We are going to manage our expectations, but this small setback will not deter Mathew nor the team. He’ll be ready for the first round of the MotoAmerica season.”
The team is currently evaluating whether to put a substitute rider on the Superbike for the test, and Chuck added, “We do have another team rider who will be testing on Tuesday and Wednesday. Our Junior Cup rider Cody Wyman is looking forward to testing his #34 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R3. As far as putting someone on the Superbike, we’re currently considering our options.”
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