Chance Hymas, the Honda HRC Progressive rider, is set to have surgery on his left shoulder labrum on Friday, January 30, after a crash during the first turn of the January 24 Anaheim 2 AMA Supercross race. His recovery period is expected to last approximately eight weeks, sidelining him for the near future.
Details of Hymas’ Injury and Recovery Plans
Hymas described the incident as involving another rider crashing at the first corner, which caused him to fall. Attempting to brace himself, he dislocated his shoulder by placing his arm in an awkward position. Reflecting on the injury, he said,
“It wasn’t the best start on my end, but I was still in a decent position coming into the first corner,”
and added,
“Another rider crashed, which ultimately took me down as well. Unfortunately, when I put my arm out to catch myself, I put it in a weird position and ended up dislocating my shoulder. It’s devastating on my end going through everything I went through to get back into racing shape, but fortunately I have a good group of people around me that support me 100%. All things considered, the team and I decided it’s in my best interest to get my labrum repaired this Friday and turn my focus to being 100% healthy and ready for outdoors.”
Challenges Facing Honda HRC Progressive Team This Season
The 2026 AMA Supercross season has been particularly difficult for the Honda HRC Progressive team. Key riders Jett Lawrence and Jo Shimoda remain sidelined due to pre-season injuries, increasing the pressure on the remaining team members. Meanwhile, Hunter Lawrence has consistently delivered strong results across the first three rounds and currently holds second place in the championship standings.
Team’s Response to Setbacks and Outlook
Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Advertising at American Honda, expressed concern over the team’s injury troubles and acknowledged the difficulty of Hymas’ setback. He stated,
“This season has truly put us to the test,”
and continued,
“Everyone at Honda is disappointed for our injured riders, but Chance’s setback is really difficult, knowing how hard he has worked and the impressive speed he was showing at the start of the season. There’s no denying that 2026 has been very challenging for the team, but seeing Hunter racing so well has certainly been a bright spot. We’re confident that before long, all four riders will be healthy and battling at the front.”
Implications for the Season and Future Prospects
Chance Hymas’ upcoming shoulder surgery and expected eight-week recovery period mean he will miss significant racing time during a critical stretch of the 2026 AMA Supercross season. This adds to the team’s current injury challenges but also underscores the importance of his rehabilitation for full recovery. As Hunter Lawrence continues to maintain strong form, the Honda HRC Progressive team hopes all their riders will return to full health and competitiveness, aiming to rejoin the front of the championship battle in the near future.
