Deja vu!
By TMX Archives on 12th May 05
I think the last time I sat in front of this computer I was concerned that my column would paint a very depressing picture of my racing so far. I think the last time I sat in front of this computer I was concerned that my column would paint a very depressing picture of my racing so far. Well, this time Amy is sitting in front of the computer typing and I'm beside her painting an equally depressing picture of my most recent racing news.Amy is typing because I can't at the minute due to breaking my wrist in the second race at the Portuguese GP. My right scaphoid is cleanly broken and requires surgery to speed up the healing time and ensure I'm back racing as soon as possible!The scaphoid bone is a very common injury in the wrist - 60 per cent of wrist fractures are scaphoid-related and most are not always detected on primary X-rays which was also the case with me so I had an MRI scan in Belfast for an accurate diagnosis.The next few weeks are going to be very tough for me to happily accept and I hate even thinking about it, never mind having to report it in my column next month.Crashes, X-rays, hospitals, MRI scans, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, consultants and surgery - this isn't motocross, this is an absolute nightmare. Somebody give me my sport back!Until that happens I'll give you a brief description of what I've been doing with 'my sport' until this happened.After Zolder I stayed in Belgium and tested the air-shock for three days with Ohlins. The track was cool and there were a few superstars out there riding - old and new. One of my heroes from the '80s, Georges Jobe, was there on a 250 KTM. I wonder if Kurt gave him that for free?I went to Lyng for the next British championship race and was extremely determined for quality results. On my first attempt at a good qualifying lap I lent over a little bit too far in a corner and hit a post with my hand - nothing broken but plenty of blood to be proud of.I think I was trying too hard in the first race as I got ridiculous arm pump pretty early on. My start in the second race was destroyed through a tangle with the rider next to me on the start straight. I went home very unsatisfied and felt bad for everyone on the team who had worked extra hard that week to help me.Hard training and hard practice through the week was my diet before travelling to Spain from Dublin on the Thursday. On our flight we couldn't help but overhear the Ryanair flight steward telling a story of how he was late and still drunk from the night before and that the plane had to held as he was still parking his car. Once he made it to the plane he realised he was wearing two left shoes - talk about super star motocrossers flying first class!Spain was the windiest and dustiest grand prix I've ever been at. Billy Mack must wish that they are all like that as he easily won the second race. Congratulations and well done. As for me, I came away with no results but I did get food poisoning which certainly spiced up the trip home.Portugal was my next race and that was the last time I was on a bike. As I said earlier I'm concerned about how negative this reads. I can assure you that I'm a conductor of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) - just ask anybody that knows me. Call it luck or whatever you like but things will change for me and my team, we both deserve it!Anybody else who thinks they are having a hard time with their racing or work, I would encourage you to stick at it and persist to achieve your goals. After all, what else are you going to do? Nothing!Thank you to my team, sponsors and fans for remaining loyal and supportive.