Jordi Tixier back in Latvia
By TMX Archives on 4th May 17
Jordi Tixier, injured at the GP of Patagonia in March, will return to world action in Latvia this weekend; he made a successful comeback to racing on Monday with a podium in a French international.
After missing the last four rounds of the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship as he recovered from the injury, Jordi was back on his KX450F-SR Kawasaki on Wednesday last week, as soon as his doctor gave him the permission to ride.
It was a first test for him, and after just a few hours on his bike the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team rider knew that he could be back racing on Monday. "I was only back on the bike one week ago but, as the feeling was good, we decided to race an International race in France.
"It was a good event. I got some good starts and battled with all day with eventual winner Shaun Simpson; after this race we decided with the team to come back to the GPs in Latvia. I know that I must not take too many risks as it is only five weeks since I underwent surgery but the plan is to regain my rhythm in Latvia. Then we have two weeks to improve everything before Germany, and to be totally fit for the French round of the world championship,” said Jordi yesterday after another good training session in the sand.
The Frenchman had a strong preparation last winter so he didn't lose too much physical condition due to this injury. "Of course I lost a little as I was unable to do any physical activities with my leg for three weeks, but I'm sure that I will soon be back to my best; between my first practice session last Wednesday and the second one yesterday I felt so much better that I'm not worried about my physical shape.
"At the moment my right leg is a little bit stiff, but it's just a question of time and training and I can say that my motivation has never been so strong. I didn't really got the results I was expecting in Qatar and Indonesia after such a good winter, but in Argentina I was the second fastest in the practice session and was fifth before my injury so I was on the right direction,” he added.
Forced to stay at home while his colleagues were racing, Jordi was of course in front of his TV screen to watch the races and try to learn something.
"It was tough to stay at home, and I spent time with the family, my girl friend and friends to occupy myself mentally until I got the permission from my doctor to start some physical activities. I also watched the races as there's always something to learn from your rivals! In Italy Cairoli was very impressive, and in Valkenswaard the pace during the second race was crazy; they were riding 100% for the entire thirty-five minutes.
"I know what I have to do to be riding with them as soon as possible; three years ago if you had a good start and pushed for ten minutes, then you could control your race, but today that's not possible anymore. There's been such a huge evolution from the bikes, the riders, the physical preparation that MXGP had never been so close to MotoGP,” he ended, happy to be back racing.
