Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper has returned home following his crash during High Point’s second 250MX qualifying session that ruled him out for the remainder of the weekend.

With the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship heading into its first weekend off this season, the target is for Cooper to return in time for RedBud’s fifth round of the season on 1 July.

“The last 24 hours have been pretty scary, but thankfully I’m okay,” said Cooper. “I crashed in the second round of qualifying and got hit in the chest and neck by the handlebars. My throat started to close up in the Alpinestars medical unit and I was immediately transported to the nearest hospital. I spent the night there and am headed back home to Florida now to start on my recovery.”

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 team manager Jensen Hendler added: “Thankfully, Justin is okay after his crash this morning in qualifying. He’s feeling pretty bruised and beat up, but fortunately, we have a weekend off for him to rest up before the next one.”

Cooper entered the High Point round second overall in the 250MX series, 16 points down on series leader Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC). However, after missing both motos at round four, the Yamaha rider now sits fifth overall in the standings, 54 points behind Lawrence, who went 3-1 on the day to take the overall win and continue his streak of overall wins.