Phil Nicoletti will return from a wrist injury suffered in Monster Energy Supercross 250 West competition in Oakland, California for Round 4 of the Pro Motocross season, Round 21 of SuperMotocross at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania this week.
According to a release from the Muc-Off / ClubMX team, Nicoletti’s return is three weeks ahead of schedule. Nicoletti’s early return comes after spending several weeks testing on the 450 bike.
Despite riding in the 250 class for Supercross, Nicoletti will enter the 450 division to take advantage of a field that has been thinned by injuries to several factory riders.
“I am not ready to give up racing yet,” Nicoletti said in the release. “I still love the grind, I still want to compete, racing is in my blood and I am ready to return. The healing process takes a bit longer as I get older, but I have been working hard to get my body back in shape and ready to go. I have been training with the kids here at Club and although they are not allowed to track my lap times, I feel like I am ready to go.”
Nicoletti swept the top 10 in the first three rounds of Supercross with a pair of eighth-place finishes (Anaheim 1 and San Diego) as his best results.
After missing the end of the 250 Supercross season and the first three rounds of Motocross, Nicoletti is 42nd in the combined SuperMotocross 250 standings with 57 points needed to climb into the top 20 and have a guaranteed spot in the inaugural SMX World Championship, so the transition to 450s will not put him at a huge disadvantage.
Nicoletti follows teammate Garrett Marchbanks into the class after that rider also switched from 250s last week in Thunder Valley. Marchbanks earned 28 points with results of sixth in Moto 1 and eighth in Moto 2, which placed him 36th in the combined 450 standings.
“Phil has been a part of our Club family since the beginning and brings a ton of value to our program,” said team owner Brandon Haas. “It was tough to see him get hurt again but he becomes a great example to the kids training here when it comes to recovery and work ethic. Phil does things in his own way and although some people may find him abrasive, I would not trade him for anything. He brings so much knowledge and experience with him, it makes my job that much easier.”
Other 2023 Injury News
450 riders
Chase Sexton, concussion
Eli Tomac, Achilles tendon | It was just a freak deal
Justin Barcia, collarbone and shoulder
Jason Anderson, vertebrae
Christian Craig, elbow
Marvin Musquin, wrist
Malcolm Stewart, knee | Signs two-year extension
Aaron Plessinger, hip | returned at Salt Lake City
Dylan Ferrandis, concussion | returned at Pala
Cooper Webb, concussion | returned at Pala
250 riders
Guillem Farres, arm
Jeremy Martin, wrist
Nate Thrasher, hip
Stilez Robertson, leg
Cameron McAdoo, shoulder
Seth Hammaker, arm and wrist
Austin Forkner, knee | Injury isn’t the hardest part
Jo Shimoda, collarbone | returned at Atlanta
Jalek Swoll, arm | returned at Pala