British Champion Tommy Searle is testing his patience as much as his rehab potential after another setback in his bid to join the MXGP gate in 2017. The Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki rider has broken the third metacarpal in his left hand after hitting a fencepost last week while practicing with a view to his first Grand Prix appearance this season. The 28 year old (today) has been advised to let the bone heal naturally rather than opt for an operation and is staring at a further month on the sidelines.

The popular athlete has been playing a waiting game since rupturing knee ligaments at the end of 2016 and recovering from a surgical reconstruction. Searle had been back on the KX450F for almost a month and was on the fringe of making his GP bow this year until the latest episode of misfortune.

“It’s a nightmare,” he said. “Two injuries from incidents where I didn’t even crash! It’s been tough to deal with’ I was back to speed and felt more than ready to challenge at the sharp end. Now this is another small wait. I know I have to be healthy and happy on the bike before I can think about racing in a Grand Prix but I also know I am good enough and fast enough to run at the front of the field when I’m back ‘on it’.”

The Brit is one of a recent spate of victims with hand problems: Shaun Simpson, Jeremy Van Horebeek and Valentino Guillod also suffering broken bones.

Searle is still one of the most successful riders at the highest level with fourteen Grand Prix victories and three world championship runner-up distinctions, and despite his bad luck with injuries remains a competitor that interests top teams in MXGP for 2018. Aside from a year with Red Bull KTM the Englishman has kept in Kawasaki colours since his move to the premier class in 2013 and rumours recently linked #100 with the saddle next to Clement Desalle in the Monster Energy Kawasaki team for next season.

Searle still needs to return and demonstrate his competitiveness at a time when MXGP boasts more Grand Prix winning and podium experience than ever.

2016 Photos by Ray Archer