Beaumer’s SMX Playoff Campaign Cut Short by Injury
In a significant setback for Red Bull KTM’s Julien Beaumer, the young rider’s participation in the SuperMotocross World Championship SMX Playoffs has ended prematurely due to a serious injury sustained during qualifying. After recovering from a concussion at the AMA Pro Motocross Championship finale, Beaumer faced a challenging return to competition at zMAX Dragway, where he had previously achieved a commendable second overall in last year’s SMX Playoffs.
During the second qualifying session for the 250SMX class, Beaumer suffered a severe crash while attempting a triple jump. He miscalculated the transition, leading to a hard fall that required immediate medical attention. The Alpinestars medical team responded quickly, administering assistance on-site before transporting him on a backboard and in a neck brace to a local hospital for evaluation.
KTM officially confirmed Beaumer’s exclusion from the race following his crash. The team later released details stating that he had sustained a burst fracture of his L3 vertebra and has undergone surgery to stabilize the injury.
This incident underscores the inherent risks of the sport and the physical toll it can take on riders, especially in pivotal championship stages. Beaumer’s status remains a concern as the team continues to monitor his recovery.
Key Quotes:
“Following his crash in the final 250SMX qualifying session, Julien Beaumer has been ruled out of SMX Playoff 1 and transported to hospital for further evaluation,” commented KTM in their press release.
Beaumer recorded the 11th fastest time in the opening qualifying session before the unfortunate incident ended his campaign prematurely. The racing community will be watching closely for updates regarding his recovery.
