Simpson back in action - but out of MXON Shaun to ride at this weekend's GP Manchester - Great Britain - 02/09/10

Red Bull KTM factory rider Shaun Simpson will return to the 2010 FIM Motocross World Championship this weekend when he competes in the Benelux Grand Prix at the famous Lierop circuit. Twenty-two year old Simpson who was knocked out of the previous GP in Brazil due to an early first race incident that left him with a dislocated left shoulder, has made a successful return to riding earlier this week.

Shaun visited Doctor Claes last week for a thorough examination of the injured joint, and was given the green light to get back on the track after ten days of rest. The young Scot was both surprised and happy at how his shoulder felt when he rolled out at Lommel, Belgium on Tuesday of this week. Simpson put in a series of laps at speed to see how his shoulder would hold up and was pleased to have come through this initial test with no real pain or reaction.

Content with his first outing since sustaining the injury in Brazil, the KTM teamster then rode again yesterday afternoon in order to further guage the state of his recovery. Again Shaun put in several extended sessions at near race pace and felt both confident and comfortable throughout. As a result of these two tests, Simpson has now confirmed that he will contest this weekend's GP in the deep Dutch sand as he looks to regain the valuable points which he lost in Brazil.

Whilst Shaun is satisfied with his current condition, he is also aware that he will be riding with an ongoing injury that could worsen at any point and that could deteriorate significantly in the advent of any further crashes that results in impact to his left shoulder. With this in mind, and with great regret Shaun has notified Steve Dixon, in his role as British Team Manager for the forthcoming MX of Nations, that he feels in fairness to the rest of the squad that another rider should be selected to fill his place in the three man line up.

Understandably Simpson is bitterly disappointed at having had to make this decision, but did not want to put the overall performance of the team in jeopardy by potentially having to withdraw at the last minute due to his current injury worsening over the coming weeks. Giving up the opportunity to represent your country is not something Shaun has done lightly, however this is something he totally believes is in the best interest of the team.

Explaining in his own words Shaun stated. "It's definitely been a week of mixed emotions. The good news is that my shoulder is better than I expected, so I am happy to be able to ride this weekend, but in reality I am having to take it one day at time at the moment. Hopefully I will survive Lierop, but I know it is going to be a tough couple of days."

"On the other hand I am totally gutted at giving up my ride at the MX of Nations, as it's a race I really love, but I feel it is the right thing to do. There is no better feeling than riding for your country and it is something I have been proud to be a part of for the last couple of years, and something I am desperate to be a part of again in the future. The one thing I didn't want to do is to let everyone down at the last moment, which could of happened the way my shoulder is."

"I want to wish the British team well and to let them know that I will be cheering them on every inch of the way. Finally I would like to thank Steve Dixon and the ACU for including me in their plans once again and for being so understanding about my current situation." Shaun ended.

Steve Dixon responded to Shaun's decision by saying. "It was another blow to the GB team with the news of Shaun not competing in the Nations this year, but it was a brave decision to say this early and not keep everyone waiting until the last minute. I wish Shaun a speedy recovery and we will get on and try our best to get a good result for team GB."