The process to replace the ACL ligament and fix a troublesome meniscus means that the 2011 FIM Motocross World Champion MX1 runner-up will miss the rest of the season.

Steven Frossard caught his foot on the ground during the qualification heat at Sevlievo, Bulgaria, for the second round of 16 in the campaign. He immediately had surgery to remove a broken anterior cruciate ligament and attempted the following events in Italy, Mexico and Brazil in difficult circumstances. Prior to the Grand Prix of France on the first weekend in June, the YZ450FM factory racer was again feeling fit and prepared for his home meeting, successfully coming through heavy training motos in the build-up to Round 6. The 24-year-old led the world at St Jean D’Angely, France, and would finish with a very decent 7th position overall but Frossard again felt some pain in the joint and was also hesitant to take too much of a risk in the right-hand turns.

After a scan on Monday, June 4, with a specialist in Lyon, France, Frossard was told of a slightly aggravated meniscus problem that was causing his discomfort. Even though "183" has the speed to look at some possible bright results in the remaining 10 Grand Prix events of the year, this latest development helped force the decision that the Frenchman would be better undergoing a procedure to rebuild the knee immediately. Frossard will be operated on by Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet at the Jean Mermoz Hospital in the rider’s hometown of Lyon. The surgery will involve replacement of the ligament with other material from the racer’s lower leg and carefully placed screws. The meniscus problem will also be addressed.

The 2012 Italian Elite champion is naturally disappointed that his long winter of work and preparation with the factory team will not reach fruition. Frossard is expected to enter a recovery and rehabilitation phase of four months before he can begin training again and it will be five to six months for a full recovery and resumption of motocross.

Source: Yamaha Racing