Decotis Lost for SX Season with Torn ACL

CORONA, Calif. – While attempting to get back in shape to race following a preseason ankle injury, GEICO Honda Supercross Lites rider Jimmy DeCotis suffered a season-ending setback Wednesday at training facility in Southern California.

"I was feeling really comfortable on the bike but one of the corners of the track was a little wet, I lost the front end of the bike, put my foot down wrong and tore the ACL in my left knee," DeCotis said. "I just snapped it right there, and it broke my knee brace too. I thought at first I might be all right since the brace took the hit but that wasn't the case."

DeCotis said he will have to wait on the swelling to go down in his knee before getting surgery to repair the damage.

Team co-owner Jeff Majkrzak said the latest blow to the GEICO Honda team's depth is distressing.

"Jimmy was doing so well," Majkrzak said. "We felt like he was on the cusp of returning to race soon. It's going to tough not having him on a bike this season. Right now, he needs to focus on getting better and we're here to support him through the process."

DeCotis said following surgery he wants to take his rehabilitation slow so he can be back to 100 percent when he does return to competition.

"Coming back from my ankle, I'm not in the best shape right now," DeCotis said. "It’s not really worth it for me to try and rush back. I'm young, so I have time to get healthy before trying to start running up front again.

"I'm real bummed out that I can't wake up tomorrow morning and go out and ride my dirt bike. I guess I'll try and make the most of the time while I recover from this."

The rest of the GEICO Honda team will be in action as scheduled this Saturday at the Edward Jones Dome's Monster Energy AMA Supercross race in St. Louis.