Kawasaki Racing Team Rider Expects To Return At Unadilla

IRVINE, Calif. (May 18, 2006) – Kawasaki Racing Team rider Michael Byrne is expected to be out of competition for a minimum of eight weeks due to a dislocated right thumb. Byrne sustained the injury during a practice crash prior to the Las Vegas round of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross, which kept him sidelined for the series finale. After further consultation with his physician during the week following the event, it was determined that Byrne needed surgery to repair three detached ligaments inside his thumb. Although the surgery was a success, Byrne is required to keep his thumb in a cast for at least three weeks followed by several weeks of rehabilitation. If everything goes as planned, Byrne is expected to make his return by the sixth round of the AMA Motocross Championship at Unadilla Valley Sports Center near New Berlin, N.Y. July 15-16.