Following a turbulent start to the season, in which he has scored just a single point in the FIM Motocross World Championship, Jay Wilson has opted to part ways with I-Fly JK Racing Yamaha team and return to his native Australia. The fact that he has a new daughter, who is just a few weeks old, only made the decision easier.
“Unfortunately I have withdrawn from racing the MXGPs indefinitely and I will be returning home to Australia to be with my family,” Wilson wrote on Instagram. “When I was offered the opportunity to race the GPs I jumped at it, even though I hadn’t raced motocross in eight months or had any pre-season training. Racing at that level is everything I have always dreamt of and spent my whole career working towards, so despite the timing not being right I was determined to make it work no matter what. The truth is, to race at that level everything needs to be perfect.
“The team you’re working with, testing, your machinery, your equipment, the circle of support you have around you and, unfortunately, no matter how hard I worked all of those things just weren’t there for me throughout the season so far,” he continued. “Due to that I haven’t been able to reach my full potential. This is not a decision I have made lightly, this has taken a lot of thought and weighing up, but I believe it’s better for me to be at home with my family and to work on finding something that is right than trying to force something to work that simply won’t. I’m still hungry and determined and know that with the right infrastructure I will be competitive once again.
“I’m extremely grateful for the JK Yamaha team for providing me with the opportunity to race the rounds that I have this year. I also can’t thank my mechanic Ade enough for being there during the good and the bad, you’re a lifelong friend mate. I’m looking forward to going back to the GPs in the future when the timing is right and when my family can be with me but, for now, I’m excited to get home to see my girls, work on staying fit, healthy and riding until the next chapter comes along.“
In a statement from the team, they confirmed that they are now focussed on those who remain beneath the awning. Ken Bengtson is currently sixth in EMX250, Maddy Brown is in the top twenty in WMX and Ryan Houghton made his MXGP debut at the Grand Prix of Europe this past weekend.
The team have also confirmed that they are looking at other riders, who could potentially fill the hole left by Jay Wilson. Tommaso Isdraele Romano, a rising star in Italy, will compete for the team at Canada Heights, but it remains to be seen if a deal exists beyond that. Romano has spent a majority of his time competing in the MX2 class at the Italian Championship.
Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: ConwayMX
