Image: Foremost Media.

Christian Craig’s anticipated return to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing could be delayed while recovering from his knee injury sustained in the Las Vegas SMX Finals, likely due to miss Anaheim 1.

The 33-year-old is yet to turn laps onboard the YZ450F that he will race full-time in 2025, which will come in addition to a training and mentoring role largely centered around Haiden Deegan, but involving the broader Star Racing 250 team.

Craig – who won the 250SX West championship with Star in 2022 – will become the fourth factory 450SX rider at Yamaha alongside Cooper Webb, Eli Tomac and Justin Cooper, but will only commence riding next week after undergoing surgery in October. It’s unclear when he will be in a position to return, but it won’t be until he’s back to 100 percent.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know if I’m going to be making A1,” Craig said. “I want to come back when I’m 100 percent healthy, so I’m going to be starting riding next week and that would give me like four weeks of prep. I mean, it would be awesome if I did feel 100 percent and we were here next month, but whenever I do line up I’m going to be at my best.

“I want to be in the top five or 10 every race, I want to fight for that next group in front of me – I’ve always felt like I’ve been right outside that group that last couple of years – and I have the ability and talent to fight that next group in front of me.”

Outside of his 250SX success with Star Racing in the past, Craig had finished sixth in the 2021 450MX standings and then raced to P5 in the premier class of the 2022 Pro Motocross Championship with five moto podium results to his credit. His 2023-2024 seasons with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna were largely impacted by injury.