Image: Octopi Media.

Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas has been struck by injuries yet again, with Michael Mosiman forced to exit the remainder of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship following his Hangtown crash, and Justin Barcia’s return delayed.

Mosiman had been able to return in time for the 250MX season-opener at Fox Raceway and recorded a high of 10th in the second moto of the season.

However, an incident in round two has resulted in injuries to his right shoulder, which will require surgery. He will miss the remainder of Pro Motocross, but is hoping to potentially be back on track for the SMX playoffs.

It’s been a luckless run for the team during the mid-stages of the year following what was a solid 450SX campaign for Barcia. He underwent surgery on a broken collarbone and also injured his shoulder and ribs in his Nashville crash, but had been due to return shortly.

Complications with his plated collarbone – which he discovered had randomly been damaged during the night and required additional surgery last week – will now see his recovery time extended and the target is to return toward the end of the 450MX series.

On a positive note, Pierce Brown has been working hard in the background preparing for his first appearance of the outdoors. Almost completely recovered from a broken hand sustained while training in the lead-up to Pro Motocross, Brown is scheduled to get back behind the gates within the next three-to-four weeks.

“It’s been an unfortunate last two months for the team, with injuries to our athletes, but we are hopeful and will continue working hard, focusing on our fill-in rider Caden [Braswell] for the next two races,” said TLD Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing team manager Max Lee.

“We will look to get our current riders back up to speed and healthy as soon as possible, to finish the outdoor season strong, battle for some wins, and have a fresh start for the three rounds of the SMX playoffs.”

In the meantime, Caden Braswell will continue his four-race fill-in deal with TLD Red Bull GasGas in Colorado this Saturday, followed by High Point on 17 June. The teenager finished 19th overall at both Fox Raceway and Hangtown, determined to build upon experience gained in what is his rookie season in the Pro Motocross Championship