Image: Octopi Media.

A fractured scapula bone in his shoulder blade will rule Hunter Lawrence out of Birmingham’s ninth round of Monster Energy Supercross, with a return date yet to be determined.

Lawrence, 24, was injured at Daytona last weekend, disrupting his rookie 450SX campaign at what is effectively the halfway point of the 2024 season.

“Unfortunately, Hunter Lawrence will miss this round with a small fracture to his left scapula, incurred in a crash during last weekend’s main event, Team Honda HRC confirmed. “Hunter and the team are still awaiting a prognosis from doctors, but he is focused on returning as quickly as possible.”

For Lawrence, having to withdraw from the round in which he won the 250SX main event at one year ago was a disappointing turn in his season, factoring inside the top five at the conclusion of the opening lap before his DNF.

“I was really happy with how I was riding – fifth off the start, fighting for fourth was definitely a positive to take away,” he recalled. “I’m really happy with how the bike felt, it was handling amazing. Fingers crossed we’ll be all good after I get evaluated… I just have to continue to build on the positives.”

Lawrence is currently positioned 10th in the series, recording best results of fifth at both the Glendale and Arlington rounds prior to being injured.

The weekend also saw Fire Power Honda’s Dean Wilson – the reigning Australian SX1 champion – exit with a fractured scapula of his own, also putting him out of the Alabama round this weekend.