Austin Forkner's Grit and Grit: A Tale of Triumph and Tribulation in Supercross

ARLINGTON, Texas – The world of Supercross is a spectacle of high-flying action, where the roar of engines and the cheers of the crowd blend into a symphony of adrenaline. But sometimes, the pursuit of victory can take a treacherous turn, as it did for Austin Forkner during the 250SX East class at AT&T Center. After a stellar start to the 2024 season, Forkner’s ambitions were abruptly halted by a harrowing crash that left him with spine and scapula injuries.

austin forkner's grit grit tale triumph tribulation supercross — austin forkner’s grit grit tale triumph tribulation supercross, Photo by thepublive.com, CC LICENSES

Forkner’s journey to Arlington was nothing short of remarkable. Following a commanding win in Detroit, he continued his dominance with a calculated victory over Haiden Deegan. His resilience shone through as he navigated the pack, stating, “Coming through the pack like that was good. I was able to work through arguably two of the fastest guys in the class right now.” His determination was palpable, his focus laser-sharp.

The main event saw Forkner’s No. 64 Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki slicing through the competition, maintaining a lead over Deegan. For 16 laps, he was the epitome of control and precision. Then, the unforeseen occurred. A misjudgment after a tabletop jump sent Forkner careening off the track, his bike and body colliding with unforgiving concrete.

The Supercross community held its breath as the safety crew rushed to Forkner’s aid, placing a neck brace on him and assisting him to the safety vehicle. It was a sobering reminder of the sport’s inherent risks, a stark contrast to the triumphs that Forkner had so recently celebrated.

Injuries have been a recurring theme in Forkner’s career, with a timeline that includes a broken collarbone in Houston in 2021, a re-injury in Arlington in 2022, and a knee injury that marred his 2023 season. Each setback has been met with Forkner’s unwavering spirit, a testament to his character and dedication to the sport he loves.

The aftermath of the crash was met with an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues alike, all wishing for a speedy recovery for the 25-year-old. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki Race Team’s Instagram post confirmed the extent of his injuries, and his father’s social media update provided a glimmer of hope: “Fractured L3 & L4 in back but no surgery, has to heal on its own. He has a broken scapula, which will heal on its own, so no surgery.”

Rylee Forkner, Austin’s wife, expressed gratitude for the support and relief that they were able to walk out of the hospital together. Mike Forkner, Austin’s father, echoed the sentiment of resilience, confident that this was merely “a bump in the road” for his son.