Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127975
months·away. Because McGrath did not ride the entire 1998 outdoor series, he gave his broken wrist plenty of time for rest and rehabilitation. The injury that McGrath sustained was a broken navicular, an injury similar to the one that led to the demise of Rick Johnson's career. Like McGrath, Johnson's initial injury occurred during his prime. While McGrath is aware of that fact, he doesn't seem to be too worried. "My wrist is 100 percent now," he said. "It's better than it was before the injury, because now it has a screw in it. I'm probably in the best shape now than I've ever been, and I'm really confident in myself. I have a new trainer that I work out with every day. Plus, I still work with Gary Semics." A broken wrist was not the only thing that McGrath had· to overcome during the off-season. Though it has been public knowledge that the former 250cc National Motocross Champion was only in terested in racin~upercross, it became reality when he re-signed with Chaparral to a two-year supercross-only contract. The deal left riding the outdoor National circuit as an option, and beca use of it McGrath underwent much scrutiny from fans and the press. Many stated that it was bad for the sport, and the general consensus on the entire issue was just plain negative. Regardless, McGrath has virtually called his own shots since signing with Suzuki of Troy in 1997, and 1999 will be no exception. Still undecided as to whether he will ride any outdoor events this year, McGra th is content with the fact that he has the option to race or just relax during the long summertime outdoor series. ''I'm not sure what I'm going to do this summer if I don't race any ationals," he said. "I haven't given it much thought lately because I've been so focused on supercross and training and stuff. I might race a few. I don't know. I just got a new boat, so I'll probably hang out at the lake a lot." A new boat is not the only thing that McGrath will be sporting this year. On Saturday, January 9, when McGrath lines up behind the starting gate at Edison Field for his 250cc heat race, he will be wearing the highly anticipated No Fear riding gear. The move from Fox to the newly designed No Fear racing apparel was another move by McGrath that shook up the motocross world. It may not have the makings of a huge scandal, but anything McGrath seems to do these days, short of breathing, draws a lot of attention - the same attention that helped draw Mazda in as a Chaparral team sponsor and which also led to an eventual "Official Truck of the AMA Motocross Nationals" title. Consequently, printed smack dab on the chest of McGrath's new No Fear jersey is a rather large yellow logo of Mazda, a sponsor of which McGrath himself is rather proud. "I think it's great that we are getting all these outside sponsors now," says McGrath. "It gives the sport more recognition, and it's good advertisement for everyone. I can't believe it didn't happen sooner, really. Trucks and motorcycles kind of go hand in hand." Kind of like Jeremy McGrath and supercross. ~ (Above) The Las Vegas showgirls were on hand in Dallas when McGrath clinched his fifth SX title last year. ABC Sports was there, too. (Left) McGrath knows how to thrill the crowds. . (Below) Team Honda's Ezra Lusk (3) will certainly be on McGrath's mind throughout the '99 SX season. 19