Words: Adam Wheeler

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Clement Desalle could miss the start of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship after suffering a reported broken arm at the Valence International event in France.

The Belgian had been a multiple winner at the hillside circuit in previous years and was on course for another victory at the popular pre-season meeting until he crashed heavily while trying to pass eventual winner Shaun Simpson.

The Wilvo Virus Performance KTM rider, who defeated the Desalle the previous weekend at Hawkstone Park, was leading the superfinal race when the Kawasaki pilot attempted to take the lead.

“I couldn’t see it that well because I was in front of him at the time but we came down into the final corner before the finish which is a tight right hander into a table-top,” said Simpson. “I had the inside line and I could hear him sling-shotting around the outside of me.

“I was scrubbing the jump on the inside and I heard a load of revs. I had a little look left and just saw wheels and the bike was unoccupied. I guess he had baled and made a big mistake. Not too good at all.”

Desalle landed on his right side and a suspected broken wrist was later confirmed by sources close to the factory team as an arm injury.

This comes as a tough break for the factory Kawasaki team following the announcement of teammate Jordi Tixier also suffering a broken wrist requiring surgery recently.