After winning the U.S. Open in Las Vegas in October, Yamaha of Troy's Kelly Smith is home recuperating from a back injury and joins the list of those not participating in the first two rounds of the AMA World Supercross Series in Europe.

The Michigan native was injured Nov. 21 in a crash at the Yamaha test track in Corona, CA. Due to a previous compression fracture, doctors were unable to determine the extent of his injuries with X-rays, so he plans to have further testing this week.

"I hated to face the fact that I would be unable to compete in the first two world rounds," Smith said. "The extra experience would have been great, but I know that my body isn't ready, and I have to make my main focus the East Coast 125 championship."

Smith hopes to be healthy and ready to race a YZ450F at the first AMA Supercross event in Anaheim Jan. 3, 2004.