San Diego, CA, January 17, 2026, 6:20 pm: The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship witnessed a dramatic turn of events as Mitchell Oldenburg and Austin Forkner met with unfortunate fates during the second qualifier. The races were halted due to the crashes, prompting immediate concern for the riders' well-being.
Oldenburg, a member of the Liqui Moly Beta team and Triumph Factory Racing, suffered a severe blow as he went unconscious after his crash. Despite the initial worry, medical assessments revealed that he had avoided spinal injuries, a significant relief for all involved. However, the extent of other potential injuries remains under evaluation, and Oldenburg is expected to be out for the evening's races, leaving Liqui Moly Beta without any riders in San Diego after Benny Bloss broke his wrist last week.
Forkner, another talented racer, was also rushed to the hospital for a thorough evaluation post-crash. Fortunately, the results were reassuring, indicating no serious injuries. Forkner is now determined to race, but the late hour poses a challenge, as he might not make it back to the stadium in time. This incident underscores the inherent risks in the sport, where even the most seasoned riders can encounter unexpected setbacks.
