I’m back in the groove - Stephen Sword

This past two weeks I've been recovering from a back injury I sustained at the Maxxis Championship round at Desertmartin.

 

I had been enjoying my riding and feeling good on the bike leading up to the race, but it was one of those days where nothing seemed to fall into place from the word go.

 

I had a small crash on the Superpole lap which resulted in 12th gate pick – not a big problem on that start, but all the same it's nice to post a good time.

 

In the first race, I got a really good jump and entered the first corner in second behind Strijbos.

 

Someone launched off the first ski-jump, landing in all the soft sand and went straight over the handlebars, but his bike landed right in front of me, so I had to pretty much stop to miss him.

 

I went into turn two around 20th but got tangled up with someone there, eventually getting away last. Not a good start.

 

I pulled my way back to 11th at the end and was riding OK.

 

For race two I was keen to stay out of trouble but guess what? I didn't!

 

I went over the first step-up in about fourth spot. On the landing I touched wheels with someone else and crashed. It's such a fast part of the track and tight when 30-odd bikes come over the jump together.

 

I was hit by three bikes and one hit me very hard in the back.

 

It took me ten minutes to find my feet and I was in a lot of pain. 

 

That was the end of my day and although I was very disappointed, it could have been a worse outcome from that crash.

 

Since then I've just been recovering, my back was stiff, sore and bruised for a good ten days. 

 

I was able to do some swimming and cycling and along with some physio it's improving.

 

The Red Bull Pro Nationals round at Canada Heights is the next event on my schedule.

 

It's an event I'm really looking forward to and I will be looking to extend my points lead in that series.

 

On the couple of weekends that I've not been racing, we took some time out to go away with the kids for a little break.

 

Ayrton loves the whole idea of staying in a hotel and making as much mess as he can – without getting told off.

 

He also insists it must have a swimming pool and a buffet breakfast – he's picky (just like his mum).

 

It was a nice couple of days relaxing, a bit of swimming with the kids and we took in  a theme park one day as well.

 

Even more of a bonus was that the weather stayed dry for us.

 

I look forward to seeing some of you at Canada heights where I will be giving it 110% for the win.