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/128602
You surprised everyone last year with what you were able to do at Daytona with your injuries. Did you surprise yourself? That's the first time I can ever remember tot a lIy surprising myself. A lot of other races people may have been surprised, but I was always like, 'Yeah, you know, I was going to pull that off.' But, honestly, when I went to Daytona last year, cracking top five would have been exceptional. Pulling off wins in both classes ... The 600 was almost a fluke because we didn't have the bike working very well that weekend. In the 200, the bike was working so good and the bike was so fast - but Mat's [Mladin] bike was also fast and there were a lot of guys out there who were pretty healthy. I was really taken back by what I accomplished, what I achieved that day. 1 think it's one for the books. Q Where do you stand now, physically, compared to where you stood a year ago? I'm definitely 110 percent better than I was last year. The bone is thoroughly healed. The rod is still in there, but Dr. [Arthur] Ting thought it would be a better thing to leave it in there. The leg works really well and it's a 1000 times stronger than it was last year. Right now it's just getting used to my leg being a little bit shorter. Timing-wise, I'm a little bit off, but not a whole lot. Everything seems to be working really well right now so there's no excuse on that side right now. Q A Q What has your off-season been like? well, we had a bit of testing with the 600, so that was kind of nice. The team seems really motivated. One thing about having new guys is that they seem to see things from different angles, so there's been a lot of enthusiasm. Other than that, I've been doing some training - mostly cardiovascular. I've just been trying to keep busy and stay in shape, but I think riding and racing is going to be a big thing for me to get me back to where I need to be. A Q o can you get back to where you need to be in time to win Daytona? I hope so. I surprised myself last year; hopefully I can do it two years in a row. The bike is good, the team will be ready, so barring any big incident I think I should be able to get myself ready to go to be a contender this year. I feel pretty confident with Daytona. I like the race track and the bike will work well, so I don't see why not. I just need to get out and ride. I haven't done a lot of riding in the last two years - at least not at the level that I'm used to. A r-----------------------------------------------~-~-~ o o arne Address City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5tate Order Date Phone Send to: o Zip _ Every week for two years (100 issues for 575.00) Six months second class (25 issues for $22.(0) This is a o New Subscription o o o o IQll1IJI ~, Inc. po. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084 Toll Free Subscription Hotline (800) 831-2220 Renewal Please bill me 1 payment of $42.00 Bill 2 payments of 521.00 Enclosed is my check or money order 24-hour FAX Order Line (714) 751-6685 • E-mail: 5ubscribe®cyclenews.com Signature YES! Start my subscription immediately to Cycle News. 1 ycarl 50 issues for $42.00. (can be billed 2 monthly payments) Charge my _ One year MC/Visa# Expiration Date (SO o o issu~). Visa Mastercard == VlS4 2nd class Coul<1da or MCl(ICO ~~~!iIl~~t~~~~r~:3u~~,~I:a:p:(~~:~~d~).181 ~----------------------------------------------n e _ S • MARCH cycle 1. 2000