virgivaughn: Ben Spies To Miss Australian MotoGP Round Due To Shoulder Injury

Ben Spies' miserable year in MotoGP continues without let up. The Texan damaged his shoulder in a crash during the race at Sepang on Sunday, and has been forced to miss the upcoming Australian round of MotoGP at Phillip Island.

The damage was caused when Spies suffered a massive highside going into Turn 1 in the very wet conditions at the Sepang circuit. Spies fell heavily on his shoulder, and was taken to the medical center for treatment. Spies suffered a separated shoulder in the crash, and will return to the US on Tuesday for treatment on the shoulder.

Because the Phillip Island round of MotoGP is this weekend, Yamaha will not have time to field a replacement. The recovery period for an AC shoulder separation is anywhere between three and eight weeks, depending on the severity of the injury, so there is a very good chance the Texan will return at the Valencia round. It will be important for Spies to be there, as the first official test of the season takes place two days later, and Spies will want to get as much time as possible on the Ducati he will be riding in 2013.

Below is the official press release from Yamaha on Spies' injury:

Ben Spies to Miss Phillip Island

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 22nd October 2012