After close to six months off the bike, we caught up with CDR Yamaha’s Jacob Wright ahead of what would have been his home round at Toowoomba, to chat recovery, podium picks, and what makes Echo Valley so special.

Source: Supplied.

How’s the recovery going?

The recovery is going really well. We are almost at the six-month point now, so I’m back training and riding now. I’ve been riding for two weeks and my knee has felt pretty good. So everything is on track.

How pumped were you after that first day back on the bike?

Yeah the first day back on the bike I was obviously a little bit nervous – I maybe thought I would have forgotten how to ride after six months off [laughs]. But it was so good that first day. Then after the first week on the bike, and getting everything dialed in, I’m feeling really good now. It was one of those injuries where I didn’t break a bone or have a massive crash when I did it, so to then be told that I had to have six months off the bike, it has just felt like I was forever waiting. I felt like I was ready to ride after six weeks but I had to wait it out, and I’m glad I did now.

It would have been your home round at Toowoomba this weekend, how difficult is it not being able to race given that you’re back on the bike?

It’s super hard. I know the track really well at Toowoomba, and obviously I have all of my mates and family and friends here so it’s tough – I’m pretty over it to be honest. Especially because every year there’s been a Senior National at Toowoomba, I’ve missed it because I’ve been hurt, literally ever since I’ve gone senior, I’ve never raced a home round there. I’m going to go out and watch and support everyone, but I’ll be pretty filthy [laughs].

Did you ever consider coming back for the last couple of rounds of the MX Nationals?

I did. I actually used the last two rounds as my guideline for the recovery. To actually be back for the last two was pushing it a little bit, but that’s kind of what helped me speed my recovery up. The main reason I’m not racing them is because I’ve rode a dirt bike for about two months of the whole year, and I didn’t want to throw myself in the deep end straight off the bat. Everyone has been racing all year, so we have gone with the safe option. It’s only early days, and I’ve only rode about 10 times, so we’re just focusing on supercross. Obviously having six months off the bike, I was skeptical as to where I would be, but the first couple of weeks have exceeded my expectations – my knee isn’t sore at all, and it’s feeling really strong, so it’s only going to get better every week from here on.

What makes Toowoomba different from other tracks in Australia?

I think it’s just the big up and down hills, and just how fast the track is. It’s a real motocross track and to go fast around there for 35 minutes is a tough task and really there’s only a handful of riders that can do it.

Source: Supplied.

MX1 podium picks for Toowoomba?

I think Gibbsy, Kade Mosig and Adam Monea. The track suits their style of smooth riding, and they will be strong there for sure. They’re my picks for the podium – I don’t know the exact order but that’s the podium.

MX2 podium picks for Toowoomba?

I’m going to say Jay Wilson, Luke Clout and Jed Beaton.

Anything locked in for 2016 as yet?

Everything is running well now that I’m back on the bike, and if everything goes to plan hopefully nothing will change.

Thanks for the chat Jacob, see you at Toowoomba.

Thanks, see you there!