James Stewart 2016 Supercross News
Though cleared by medical personnel to compete at San Diego Supercross following his crash at Anaheim 1 SX, James Stewart elected not to race.
The Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 pilot completed two practice sessions, but decided to sit out of round two due to not feeling 100-percent comfortable on the bike.
“We went through the process with the testing and he passed with flying colors,” said Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager Mike Webb. “I talked with the Asterisk Medical guys and they said clearly there was no issue with the testing. We left it up to James to feel it out and tell us how he felt once the blood got pumping and the adrenalin gets going. The first session he was OK and picking up the track, but in the second session he just wasn’t comfortable.
“There was no way we were going to take a chance with his health. We want him to take a couple more days of recovery and we’ll get him back on the bike later in the week.”
Stewart was briefly knocked unconscious last Saturday during A1 Supercross after colliding the reigning 450SX Champion and San Diego winner, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey. He underwent a serious of tests throughout the week, and passed “neurocognitive and concussion management” testing Friday afternoon.
Though he missed San Diego, Stewart plans to return at this upcoming Saturday’s third round of Monster Energy Supercross for Anaheim 2.
Yoshimura Suzuki was not represented at all during San Diego SX; its other pilot, Blake Baggett, continues to recover from pre-season injury.
It’s “opts,” not “opps”. Oops!