Perfect day for Nate Thrasher at Atlanta ruined by injury

Nate Thrasher suffered a broken collarbone and dislocated hip in the late stages of the Monster Energy Supercross race in Atlanta and will need to undergo surgery. A timetable for his return has not been determined.

*Nate Thrasher was running fourth at the time of his crash. – Feld Motor Sports*

Thrasher was riding fourth when he crashed hard on Lap 7 with two minutes remaining on the clock.

Thrasher favored his shoulder as he was carted off the track by the Alpinestars medical team.

“We had a perfect day going at ATL,” Thrasher said on Instagram. “Going P1 in qualifying and then getting the heat race win. Unfortunately, I had a hard crash in the main which caused me to dislocate my hip + break my collarbone. They were able to put my hip back in place but, when I got a CAT scan they noticed a few bone fragments so we are still waiting to get surgery on that.

“I really appreciate everyone that has reached out. Thanks to my team and sponsors for all the support. I’ll keep you guys updated!”

Thrasher’s perfect day began with a win in his heat race. He was coming off a strong run in his last event in Detroit after finishing second to 250 East championship leader Hunter Lawrence for the third time in six races. Thrasher won the Triple Crown format race in Arlington and sat second in the points entering Atlanta. As a result of his crash and 19th-place finish there, which claimed only four points, he fell to fourth in the standings.

In two previous seasons on a 250cc bike, Thrasher finished seventh in 2021 and fifth in 2022 in the West division, so he was well on his way to a career best. Jordon Smith is five points back with three races remaining while Jeremy Martin (-9 points) and Chris Blose (-16) are well within striking distance if Thrasher is unable to return to Supercross with three rounds remaining.

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Other 2023 Injury News

450 riders
Christian Craig, elbow
Dylan Ferrandis, concussion | May return before the end of 2023
Marvin Musquin, wrist
Malcolm Stewart, knee
Colt Nichols, head | returned at Glendale

250 riders
Stilez Robertson, leg
Cameron McAdoo, shoulder
Jalek Swoll, arm
Seth Hammaker, arm and wrist
Austin Forkner, knee | Injury isn’t the hardest part
Jo Shimoda, collarbone | returned at Atlanta

Benny Bloss will race for the factory Beta Motorcycles team in 2024 as that manufacturer joins SuperMotocross as the ninth brand to compete in the series. Beta Motorcycles will make their debut in the Monster Energy Supercross opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California in January.

*Benny Bloss finished among the top 10 twice in Pro Motocross, in 2016 and 2018. – Beta Motorcycles*

“The wait is over and we can finally share everything we have been working towards,” said Carlen Gardner, Race Team Manager in a press release. “It has been a great experience being a part of this development and seeing the progression. The only missing part was finding a rider that would mesh well with our Beta Family.

“After a one phone call with Benny, we knew it would be a good fit for him, and for us. We are happy to have him on board for the next two years and can’t wait to see everyone at Anaheim in January.”

Bloss debuted in the 450 class in 2015 with a 15th-place finish overall at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Bloss has a pair of top-10 rankings in the division with a sixth-place finish in the Pro Motocross Championship in 2016 and a seventh in 2018. His best Supercross season ended 15th in the standings in 2018.

“I’m extremely excited to join the Beta Factory Racing team,” Bloss said. “It’s cool to see a brand with such a rich history in off-road racing to come into the US Supercross and Motocross space. I know this team will be capable of great things as we build and go racing in 2024.”

Bloss is currently 22nd in the SuperMotocross rankings and has not raced in the first two rounds of the Motocross season.

Testing for Beta Motorcycles is scheduled to begin in August and the team expects to announce a second rider at that time.

The family-owned brand adds to the international flare of the sport. The company was founded in Florence, Italy in 1905 as Società Giuseppe Bianchi as they built handmade bicycles, The transition to motorcycle production in the late 1940s.

Beta Motorcycles competed and won in motocross competition in the late 1970s and early 1980s with Jim Pomeroy and other riders.

Beta will join Triumph Motorcycles as a second historic brand to join the sport in 2024. First established in 1902, Triumph has won in nearly every division they have competed in, dating back to their first victory in the 1908 Isle of Man TT. Triumph will debut in the 250 class in 2024 and plans to expand into 450s in 2025.

Perfect day in Atlanta ruined for Nate Thrasher by crash, injury

Beta Motorcycles joins SuperMotocross in 2024, Benny Bloss named first factory rider

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