Disappointment for fans set to travel to Teutschenthal next month for the 67th Motocross of Nations as AMA Supercross Champion and AMA Motocross Champion-elect Ryan Villopoto will not be part of Team USA. Rumours were confirmed this morning that the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider will undergo corrective ankle surgery immediately after the culmination of the ‘outdoor’ season in America that is set to finish on August 24th in Lake Elsinore, California.

This means ‘RV’ could also possibly miss the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas on October 19th as the Kawasaki press release states the objective for the champion is to be fully for the 2014 AMA Supercross term that will begin next January and involve pre-season testing in early winter months.

“It is always a tough decision to go in and have surgery,” Villopoto, who has won six rounds of ten in AMA MX this season. “But just like my Monster Energy Kawasaki team works hard to give me the best bike possible, I have to make sure I’m at my best as well. The hardest part of this decision is the timing. I was really looking forward to racing the Motocross of Nations again this year, but I won’t be fully prepared in time for MXoN and I don’t want to give less than 100% to Team USA.  The MXoN is always a highlight of the season and it is an event that has helped to define my career.”

Villopoto has not ridden for Team USA since the 2011 edition at St Jean D’Angely in France. He missed the trip to Lommel in Belgium last season where the Americans were beaten for the first time this century by maiden winners Germany.