Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team’s Arnaud Tonus will miss the start of the 2018 FIM MXGP World Championship due to a shoulder injury.
Tonus dislocated his left shoulder in a crash during the Timed Practice session at the Masters of Motocross International, which took place in LaCapelle-Marival, France on the weekend of February 18th. The twenty-six-year-old Swiss native received medical attention at the circuit before returning to Switzerland where a specialist at the Hirslanden Hospital in Geneva assessed his shoulder. Following expert medical advice of Dr. Gregory Cunningham, Tonus underwent surgery to re-construct the shoulder on Tuesday 20th February.
Tonus will remain in Switzerland for the initial part of his rehabilitation where he has been advised to rest for the first few weeks before starting an intensive physiotherapy program, which will aim to have him back on the bike in the shortest mount of time possible. Tonus’ return to racing is currently unknown. The main focus is for the Swiss talent to take his time and to make a full and strong recovery.
Injury updates will be made when available on Yamaha Racing’s Social Media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Erik Eggens
Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Manager
“It’s unfortunate that we can not start the 2018 MXGP season with Arnaud on the line. He was looking very fast and very strong on his YZ450F during the off-season and everything was on track for what was expected to be a fantastic season. In what seems like a split second, the start of the season is already over for him, but this is something that we know comes with the sport from time to time. Now, it’s time for Arnaud to heal up. His surgery went well, so we just need to focus on helping him make full recovery in the best way possible. He is working with some of the best shoulder specialists in the world, and on top of that we know he is very fit and very strong, so this gives us confidence that he will return to 100%, and is sure to come back stronger.”
Louis Vosters
Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team Owner
“The operation went really well, they have fixed his shoulder 100%, so that’s really positive. The doctors in Switzerland are really professional, they’re world-class, and so I have confidence in their treatment for Arnaud. I spoke to Arnaud yesterday and he was positive about the way the doctors in Switzerland are working. That is really good. Now it’s time to move forward. I know it won’t be an easy road and it will take some time. It’s of course really disappointing for him and for us at Wilvo Yamaha MXGP, but we understand that this is part of the sport and we will support Arnaud all the way.”
Arnaud Tonus
Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team