YAMAHA GP RIDER DAVID PHILIPPAERTS BREAKS BOTH WRISTS: OUT OF GP’S, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MXDN?

Yamaha has confirmed that David Philippaerts is likely to miss the rest of the 2011 FIM Motocross World Championship after crashing while practicing Wednesday at a track in Germany in preparation for the Grand Prix of Czech Republic this weekend. Reportedly, the injuries were sustained as the 2008 450 World Motocross Champion landed heavily over a double jump and tweaked his wrists. The 27-year-old factory Yamaha rider underwent surgery Wednesday evening. Philippaerts was seventh in the 2011 450 World Championships with four races to go, but only one point behind sixth place rider Rui Goncalves.

This puts Team Italy in trouble for the 2011 Motocross des Nations in France on September 18 (six weeks from now). Philippaerts and Antonio Cairoli were the anchors of Team Italy, with Alessandro Lupino (on a Husqvarna TC250) filling the third spot. If Philippaerts is unable to race the Motocross des Nations, the Davide Guarneri will have to take his place.