After a dream end to the Monster Energy MX Nationals, CDR Yamaha’s new recruit Jake Wright has undergone surgery to remove some metalwork that has caused him grief all year. MotoOnline.com.au sat down with the 19-year-old Queenslander to find out how surgery went, his plans to race the New Zealand MX Nationals and his goals for next year.

Image: Jeff Crow.

So fill us in, Jake. What’s the story with your leg, and why did you just have surgery on it?

Back in 2012 I snapped my let at Albury while racing the Under 19s and I’ve had a lot of dramas with it since. A year ago I had surgery to have the plate and all the screws except one removed, then just before Wonthaggi this year I crashed and bent and broke that last screw. The screw was through my fibula but it had bent itself into the tibia. Every time I flexed my leg or caught my toe in a rut it caused that much pain it felt like I’d broken it all over again and I was constantly having to ice it between races. I got that screw removed on Friday and it was a bit of a mission apparently; the bone had grown over the head of the screw so they had to shave it back, then inserted a fake ligament as my leg and ankle joint was flogged out from racing all year on it.

Obviously you were going to be a non-starter for the supercross championship anyway, with CDR Yamaha not having any involvement in this year’s series. At least you’ve got plenty of time to heal and get back on track.

Yeah that’s exactly right. I’ll be out of action for four to six weeks, but it has worked out really well. When I signed with CDR at Coolum one of the agreements was to get my leg fixed over the off-season and get it back to 100 percent before next year’s MX Natinoals. I had always planned to do it this year, but I’d initially planned to get it done after the supercross, which I would’ve raced as a privateer, but that would’ve set me behind coming into next year.

Looking back on this year though, are you happy with it in general?

The first half was definitely a struggle, but I still got some good results. When I got the call from Dacka to join CDR it was a dream come true and the results came. I worked harder and the second half of the season was a huge improvement. I’m definitely happy with that aspect. I know some people say being on a team is more pressure but I find there’s less pressure now. I’m not having to look after all the day-to-day struggles like organising flights, bikes accommodation, repairs, or anything like that. With a factory team I just turn up and ride, and all the perks with the equipment, personnel and resources we can use is on another level.

Image: Jeff Crow.

What does the rest of the off-season have in store for you?

Over the next four to six weeks I’ll be resting and rehabbing my ankle to get it back to normal, then I’m going to ride and train as hard as I can so I can be more prepared than anyone going into next year. I’m 99 percent sure I’ll race the 2015 New Zealand MX Championship too. If that happens I’ll be riding with Josh Coppins and will probably stay over there for two or three months. It’ll be a great lead-up and I can’t wait to train with Josh and have him as a mentor. Josh has good facilities, and if the tracks are as good as what everyone says over there, it should be an awesome time. With the KTM boys, Cooper and a bunch of other riders racing the series, it’ll give me a really good indication of where I’m placed in the big scheme of things.

What are your goals for next year?

To be honest, my goal is to win the MX1 championship and I don’t think there’s any reason why I can’t. I want to be more consistent, fitter and faster than what I was last year and I think I’ve got a good shot. It’s been a huge mindset change fro the beginning of this year where I don’t race to come second anymore. I got on a bit of a roll with Super Pole wins and getting used to riding near the front this year and if I start off next year like I finished 2014, I’ll be in a god position. I don’t want to sound cocky, but yeah, that’s the goal.

Finally, who’s going to be your teammate at CDR next year? Do you have any clues for us?

I’m not allowed to say! I don’t know if it’s all signed away, so we’ll just have to wait and see. If it comes about though, I’m looking forward to riding alongside him.

[Laughs] okay, well, it was worth a try. Thanks for the chat, mate.

No worries. Thanks very much.