Hall fights through pain, competes at major motocross events

Abshur Hall’s experience at the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Junior Motocross World Championship over Fourth of July weekend may not have gone to plan, but what did occur showcased the grit and determination of the 11-year-old Morganton native.

Just a couple of days before he was scheduled to leave for Jinín, Czech Republic, where he would represent Team USA, Hall broke his collarbone during a practice ride. However, he still decided to make the trip and see how he felt when he arrived.

“I brought up the idea since we’d already paid to go to just go and see what it’s like over there, and if I felt good on practice day then I would race,” Hall said. “But then I did not feel good at all on practice day, and I was hurting pretty bad.”

After that, Hall rested for several days before returning to the track for qualifying on July 4. He then raced twice the following day, having a lidocaine patch placed on him and getting his collarbone wrapped in order to compete.

Hall finished seventh in the 65cc class to open the day, although it looked like he would earn a top-five finish prior to a late-race wreck. He later failed to finish the second race following another crash, but earned enough points to finish 15th overall out of the 80 riders in his class, who represented a total of nearly 40 different countries.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I was floored,” said Noel Hall, Abshur’s grandfather. “... The way he rode that first moto, honestly I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe he was hurt. I could see him in a couple sections of the track where I knew he would normally be faster and I knew his weak points, but the way he rode the rest of the track, I was floored.”

According to Noel, upon returning to the United States, a doctor's visit determined that not only was Abshur’s collarbone broken, but so was his scapula. And as a result of his second crash in the Czech Republic, which saw him get slammed on his shoulder and dragged approximately 30 to 40 feet by another bike, Abshur’s injuries had been exacerbated.

From there, Abshur took four weeks off and ultimately made a last-minute decision to participate in the American Motorcyclist Association Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., during the first week of August. Abshur has been competing in the annual event since 2021, and despite the fact that he continues to heal from his broken bones, he put forth a strong effort throughout the week.

When all was said and done, Abshur came in fifth overall in the 65cc (ages 10-11) division thanks to individual race finishes of fifth, 14th, and third. He also took seventh overall in the 65cc (ages 10-11) Limited division after posting individual race finishes of 13th, fourth, and sixth.

“I was pretty happy with my results, but could’ve done better, could’ve done worse,” Abshur said. “Could’ve got hurt over there, just thankful that I didn’t do that. … I just got better through the week as it went on, and just tried my best and did what I could.”

Abshur added that he’s currently “feeling really good” physically and is “really happy” to be back on the bike.

“When I first got on the bike before Loretta’s … I was just so happy to be on the bike,” Abshur said. “The air flowing through your face, it’s just wonderful.”