For the second time this AMA Pro Motocross season, Team Honda HRC was forced to sit out an event, with both riders recovering from injuries. After just one race back in action following a previous injury, Trey Canard missed the Washougal National, having sustained a concussion while practicing on Tuesday, July 19, at the Reynard Training Complex. Teammate Cole Seely is still recovering from a fracture to his right pinky finger, where he recently had a small plate and four screws surgically inserted. Even GEICO Honda's Justin Bogle, who pits out of Honda's factory trucks, didn't compete in Washington, still feeling the effects of his crash in Southwick, Massachusetts. Despite the fact that no riders lined up on the gate, both of the team's semis were present at the race.
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Although he was still recuperating from his injury, Cole Seely flew to Washington to join his team for a day at the races. While in town he attended a Friday-night dealer appearance at Oregon's MotoSport Hillsboro alongside GEICO Honda's RJ Hampshire, Tristan Charboneau, and Jimmy Decotis. On race day, Seely joined the commentators on the pre-race show, interviewed for NBC Sports during the second moto, and signed autographs for fans.
Fredrik Noren represented and was waving the flag for the Red Riders at Washougal. After a tough first moto with a 15th place result, he rebounded the second race in 8th place for 10th.
Now Team Honda HRC gets a two week break to recover before the final three rounds of the series. The team looks forward to the Unadilla National on August 13 and the riders and crew will travel early to New Berlin, New York, to participate in that event's press day.
Dan Betley - Team Manager
I'm really bummed. In all my years with Honda, I can't remember one time where we didn't have any riders at all racing at an event. It's been a tough season for us. Trey and Justin are both out with concussions, and Cole is still recovering from surgery on his hand. Hopefully this doesn't happen again and we can have the Oklahoma boys back for Unadilla. In the meantime, we appreciate our loyal fans' continued support and well wishes.
