Pastrana out of Anaheim II - and beyond.

American Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced that Team SoBe Suzuki factory rider Travis Pastrana will not compete in upcoming rounds of the 2003 U.S. Supercross Series, including this Saturday's Anaheim II race - round three of the AMA championship.

On Tuesday, January 14, Pastrana injured his shoulder while swimming laps in a pool, although no idictation was given of exactly how he'd damaged it, the #199 says he's now going to rest and get fully fit again before he comes back.

"The last few weeks I have been limited in my training due to my knee injury," explained Travis. "While swimming, I re-injured my left shoulder. This made me realise that I would not be able to run in front with the other top racers. Yesterday, I made the final decision to pull out with a renewed focus on rehabilitating my body and mind to get 110-percent healthy. So, when I come back, I will be able to run in front and win races."

According to Mel Harris, vice president of ASMC's motorcycle/ATV division, Suzuki stands behind Pastrana and respects his decision.

"Of course, we're disappointed and dismayed for Travis," said Harris. "He's a tremendously gifted rider who's just had a string of bad luck. We at Suzuki certainly encourage Travis to take care of himself and recover fully so that, when he returns to racing, he'll come back 100 percent."

The spectacular, but injury prone, Pastrana had been immediatly on the pace in the Anaheim I season opener, but clashed with Ricky Carmichael in his heat race and then hit a fallen Mike LaRocco in the main event, damaging his delicate knee further. Last Saturday, in Phoenix, Pastrana looked anything but himself in the main and slipped to just 12th at the end of 20 laps.

It will now be left to Frenchmen Sebastien Tortelli and Stephane Roncarda to upload Suzuki honours in the 250cc class this weekend.