Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jason Pridmore will not ride for Suzuki GB Phase One in the final race of the 2003 FIM Endurance World Championship October 5 at Vallelunga in Italy.

Pridmore broke his left leg in a fall at Virginia International Raceway September 1, and although he had surgery to mend the fracture and planned to race at Vallelunga, he has been ruled out by Suzuki GB Phase One team manager Russell Benney.

“I’ve got six great riders to choose from (Jason Pridmore, James Ellison, Jimmy Lindstrom, Dean Ellison, Olivier Four, Josh Hayes), and I just can’t risk using the one who broke his leg 28 days before the race,” Benney was quoted as saying in a posting on the team’s official website.

“…The Vallelunga race will be a real sprint, and with the extra intensity of the competition there’s a chance we may have to pick the bike up out of the gravel or maybe push in; I just can’t risk Jason in that situation.
“Jason is Mr. Commitment; he desperately wants to see the championship through to the end – perhaps putting his medical interests into second place – and I really admire his drive and respect his strength of personality. He’s a real hero to the team, and this season has been the pinnacle of his seven years of riding with us. To him, I’m sure it won’t be the same to not be at the last race of the season, but he’s played as big a part in our results this season as anyone.”

Suzuki GB Phase One, which needs to finish only 12th or better to win its third FIM Endurance World Championship, has named James and Dean Ellison and Jimmy Lindstrom as its riders for the 200-mile Vallelunga race.

Jason Pridmore could not be reached for comment at post time.