Jon hasn't got a leg to stand on
By TMX Archives on 1st Oct 10
JONATHAN Richardson was a non-starter in the final round of the ACU British Trials Championship.
Young 'Rich' was due to debut the 2011 Sherco at the event, but had to withdraw when a specialist advised him not to go near a motorbike for at least two weeks if he wanted his injured ankle to heal properly!
The MRS Sherco factory rider had a very good year in 2009, winning both the World Youth and the European Junior crowns.
But 2010 has been a year Jonathan would like to forget!
Back in April he was diagnosed with glandular fever, an illness which severely affects anyone who contracts it but particularly a sportsman.
Jonathan trained hard all winter but it wasn't until he rode the first European that he realised something was seriously wrong.
On his return to the UK Jonathan was diagnosed with an illness which takes a minimum of three months to recover from. His father, Gerald, never one to make excuses, said at the end of the SSDT he didn't know how Jonathan had managed to finish the week – but the lad is not a quitter!
Then, just as he was on the mend, he had a bad crash at the French World Round where it was suspected he had broken his ankle and he unfortunately had to retire from the trial.
Despite walking on crutches he continued to ride the next two back-to-back rounds and finished a very credible fourth in Italy, only two marks off the win.
On his return, MRS sent him to a top specialist where damaged ligaments and tendons were diagnosed and he was instructed not to ride his bike for five weeks.
The injury has been slow healing, probably due Jonathan to continuing to ride, hence the decision to stop NOW.
Jonathan's sights are firmly set on riding the Scott Trial on Saturday, October 23, and this week will make the decision about the British Championship or whether he should still take things easy and prepare himself physically for what is the most gruelling event in the calendar – the legendary time and observation Scott Trial.
Last year was Jonathan's debut in the legendary event and he berated himself at the finish for taking it easy in the opening stages.
"I'm going flat-out from the start next year!” he declared.
Here's hoping he's fully fit on the day.
In Jonathan's absence the 2011 Shercos were actually out in force at the British Championship round last Sunday, with James Fry, Richard Timperley and Simon Bird all turning out with shiny new models.
Factory rider Michael Brown stuck to his familiar Cabestany Replica to give James Dabill a run for his money, but he will be out on a standard 2011 Sherco in the Scott.