AJ Roberts raced to top 10 finishes in E2 despite a thumb injury at the AORC opener.

Former Australian Off Road Champion AJ Roberts soldiered on at the opening rounds of 2011 despite racing through a thumb injury he sustained in the week leading up to the event.

Force Accessories Honda Racing Team rider Roberts, who has now undergone surgery on the thumb, put on a brave front for the weekend, finishing with 10th in E2’s Cross Country on Saturday and an improved seventh in the Sprint round on Sunday.

After the race, Roberts admitted he was just happy to be there after considering missing the event at Bulahdelah in New South Wales. The points scored meant that Roberts isn’t yet ruling out his title chances.

“The cross country was a real killer for me that really hurt, that relentlessness on my hand was something,” he said. “I’m glad I rode the event as I came out a point higher in the championship than both Glenn Kearney and Toby Price and you never know when that one point may come in hand.

“I don’t like to be another rider just filling the gap as I want to be upfront and I want to be winning. At the end of the day I had a goal in mind and that was to earn some points and I achieved that so I feel better than I would of if I hadn’t gone.

“I had a much better round on Sunday. It started off tough, however as the day progressed I got faster, with my best lap coming at the end of the day, which subsequently helped me in the points chase.”

Roberts has been joined by Nick Beattie for 2011, rounding out the weekend with 5-4 results in E3.

“I felt good heading into the first round, the race was going to plan until I shoulder charged a tree towards the middle of the race and from there on it was a matter of holding on until the end of the race,” Beattie explained. “That was one of the biggest dead arms of my life!

“When I woke on Sunday morning my shoulder was quite sore, however it didn’t really affect me during the race. I pushed as hard as I could and am extremely pleased with where I have finished after round two.” said

Roberts has just undergone surgery on his thumb and will be back on the bike as soon as possible in the lead up to the A4DE to be held in Mackay on 20-23 April.