Five Minutes with Travis Pastrana
Truly this season was suposed to be one that would go down in history. One rider that always makes any race an exciting thing to see is Travis Pastrana. His amature career had everyone believing he was the next big thing. When Travis turned professional he made good in his first season, winning races and exciting fans. But from time to time his other activities have gotten in the way; gotten in the way of his traing schedule and his health. This year was supposed to be different. From all accounts he was ready. Then, in an appearence in Europe, Travis reinjured his left wrist. As the season start closed in, Travis decided to race with a protective cast to help the ligaments heal further. In Phoenix it became clear that he needed more time to heal.
So Travis made the decision to sit out a few races to let the wrist heal completely, then he could race at full speed and be competitive. MTM's Kendra caught up to Travis at Anaheim 2 for a quick update.
MTM: As you are well aware of, you are part of the big hype about this season. Everyone was so excited to see you racing. After last weekend everyone is wondering how you are doing?
TRAVIS: I’m really bummed out, actually, I mean, This year I was really focused on coming into the season healthy and to stay health. Unfortunately I did the wrists in a feature race over in Europe and they are just not healing as fast as I’d like. I thought I could ride with the cast on and be more competitive but I wasn’t. So now I’m going to take the time to get the cast off. I have to be 100% to race those guys out there. That’s what everyone has been telling me but trying to do it is tuff.
MTM: Roger Decoster has been a good influence on you and the other riders with his experience and background. I heard that Roger told you to succeed at SX/MX you need to be rested and board.
TRAVIS: Yeah that’s exactly what he told me. Where’d you hear that? I’ve always done all my training, I’ve always worked hard. The biggest problem for me is when I’m done training, when I’m supposed to be resting, I’m out there doing freestyle or something else fun just to pass some time. But the key is to get rested.
MTM: Speaking of freestyle, how’s your mom doing?
TRAVIS: My mom broke her neck. It was a really freak accident. She was on the front of Mike Jones’ bike, which probably isn’t the smartest thing to start with but it seemed like a good idea at the time. It was a foam pit though. We haven’t had too many injuries in the foam pit, unless you miss the foam pit. Mike Jones wasn’t going to miss the foam pit. He’s jumped into the foam pit a million times. But this time he messed up and went in upside down. When it happened we were all laughing but then she didn’t come out laughing. But the good news is she’s doing well.
MTM: When you’re out there riding you look like you are having so much fun. That’s what make watching you ride such a thrill. Tell me, what were you thinking when you pulled a nac-nac next to Kevin Windham when you two went over the triple together in Vegas last year?
Notice the look on Kevin's face!
TRAVIS: I don’t know actually. I had a helmet camera on and I’m used to always thinking about getting coolest shots for the videos and it hit me, ‘This has never been done before. I wonder how this will look? A nac-nac look to Kevin.’ My goal in Vegas was to just get out of the qualifiers and into the main. I knew Kevin was faster and had been coming on strong from the outdoor season. I was just having some fun.
MTM: Great talking to you. Thanks again, Travis.
So Travis made the decision to sit out a few races to let the wrist heal completely, then he could race at full speed and be competitive. MTM's Kendra caught up to Travis at Anaheim 2 for a quick update.
MTM: As you are well aware of, you are part of the big hype about this season. Everyone was so excited to see you racing. After last weekend everyone is wondering how you are doing?
TRAVIS: I’m really bummed out, actually, I mean, This year I was really focused on coming into the season healthy and to stay health. Unfortunately I did the wrists in a feature race over in Europe and they are just not healing as fast as I’d like. I thought I could ride with the cast on and be more competitive but I wasn’t. So now I’m going to take the time to get the cast off. I have to be 100% to race those guys out there. That’s what everyone has been telling me but trying to do it is tuff.
MTM: Roger Decoster has been a good influence on you and the other riders with his experience and background. I heard that Roger told you to succeed at SX/MX you need to be rested and board.
TRAVIS: Yeah that’s exactly what he told me. Where’d you hear that? I’ve always done all my training, I’ve always worked hard. The biggest problem for me is when I’m done training, when I’m supposed to be resting, I’m out there doing freestyle or something else fun just to pass some time. But the key is to get rested.
MTM: Speaking of freestyle, how’s your mom doing?
TRAVIS: My mom broke her neck. It was a really freak accident. She was on the front of Mike Jones’ bike, which probably isn’t the smartest thing to start with but it seemed like a good idea at the time. It was a foam pit though. We haven’t had too many injuries in the foam pit, unless you miss the foam pit. Mike Jones wasn’t going to miss the foam pit. He’s jumped into the foam pit a million times. But this time he messed up and went in upside down. When it happened we were all laughing but then she didn’t come out laughing. But the good news is she’s doing well.
MTM: When you’re out there riding you look like you are having so much fun. That’s what make watching you ride such a thrill. Tell me, what were you thinking when you pulled a nac-nac next to Kevin Windham when you two went over the triple together in Vegas last year?
Notice the look on Kevin's face!
TRAVIS: I don’t know actually. I had a helmet camera on and I’m used to always thinking about getting coolest shots for the videos and it hit me, ‘This has never been done before. I wonder how this will look? A nac-nac look to Kevin.’ My goal in Vegas was to just get out of the qualifiers and into the main. I knew Kevin was faster and had been coming on strong from the outdoor season. I was just having some fun.
MTM: Great talking to you. Thanks again, Travis.
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