Just a few weeks after calling on all motorcyclists to stop riding in a bid to curtail the spread of Cornoavirus, former world motocross, AMA supercross and motocross champ and MotoGP racer Jean-Michel Bayle has been admitted for tests following symptoms he has the virus.

But in a message on social media in response to well-wishers sending him birthday congratulations, he’s keen to say he’s doing OK and is calling on everyone to heed the lockdown. His message reads:

“Hello to all of you, Thank you for all your messages, photos to wish me my birthday. I couldn’t really take advantage of it because since the beginning of the lockdown I had the light symptoms of Covid19, it got complicated during my birthday with breathing problems, so a little hospital stay to check my health condition. Normally the hardest is over and with rest everything should be in order.You don’t have to wish me ” Good luck ” ” You’re a champion ” ” You’re gonna be okay “I would rather have this message let you understand that no one is safe from this virus, that you owe for your health, out of respect to others and caregivers strictly comply with the current lockdown instructions.

Let’s hope he makes a full recovery soon. Fellow ex supercross and US motocross champ Ricky Johnson was recently diagnosed with the virus but seems to be coming through well. Our best wishes go out to both these legends of the sport, and anyone else badly affected by the Covid-19.