Valentin Debise Out For MotoAmerica Road Atlanta Opener
Cycle News Staff | April 11, 2018
Valentin Debise Out For MotoAmerica Road Atlanta Opener – Valentin Debise, who was injured while competing in the Daytona 200 last month, will sit out the opening round of the 2018 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Road Race Championship at Road Atlanta this weekend. The M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Team rider is entered in the Supersport class. He and the team got bad news last week when X-rays revealed a new fracture.
Debise says he feels good but can’t risk another crash until he is fully healed. He hopes to return to action at round three (round two for the supersports) at Virginia International Raceway, May 4-6.
Valentin Debise Out For MotoAmerica Road Atlanta Opener
Team Release:
Checking in while recuperating from injuries sustained during the 2018 Daytona 200, Debise said, “I had another X-ray on Friday and they discovered another fracture at L1 in addition to the fracture at L3. I’m feeling good and don’t have any pain, but I’m not allowed to crash at any time. I need to stay calm for a couple weeks, so I will be good for the next round.” Debise continued, “I wish the team a great weekend of racing with a lot of success.”
Debise will be replaced by Cory West, who recently finished second in the 77th running of the Daytona 200. The 33-year-old from Arkansas rode for Team Hammer in 2008, scoring his first AMA professional podium aboard an M4 Suzuki at Miller Motorports Park. Since then, West has earned six more podium finishes riding a Suzuki GSX-R600.
West said, “I’m super pumped on this opportunity and can’t wait to get to Road Atlanta. It’s a track where I’ve have a lot of success in the past. I also look forward to working with the Team Hammer crew again.”
Debise is expected to return for the second round of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship at Virginia International Raceway, May 3-5.
Valentin Debise Out For MotoAmerica Road Atlanta Opener
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