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In spite of a somewhat injury riddled first season on the AMSOIL Chaparral Honda team, Joaquim Rodrigues speed has never been questioned. Coming into his own in the 2005 AMA 125 East Coast Supercross season, Rodrigues scored his first podium at Pontiac. Poised to continue his run to more top finished, a hard crash at the Dave Coombs Memorial Las Vegas Supercross 125 Shootout left bruised and battered. Attempting to ride the AMA Motocross Championships presented by FMF season opener at Hangtown already injured, his crash there kept him on the bench until halfway through the motocross season. Still, when he came back, he was often the team’s top rider (behind Josh Grant). Recently re-upping with the Red Riders, J-Rod’s competing in his final race of the 2005 season. I had a chance to talk to Rodrigues just before he went out and took second in the MX2 Qualifier.
Joaquim, when did you arrive in France?
We got over here on Wednesday; I came over here with Team USA and we got some riding in at a local track. I was a lot of fun, and now I’m going to try to do my best in the race. Then, when this race is over I’m going to go home and try to fix my wrist.
Speaking of your wrist, I see you have it bandages, and are now using a bone stimulator on it – what is the condition of your wrist?
Well, I came at least go for a couple of laps with it how it is; but then after that when I come down from hard land from hard landings it hurts. My navicular is broken, so I am just going to try riding as hard as I can – and do the best that I can. I’ve been struggling a bit in the states with it; but this track is a little bit easier than the ones in the states; so I hope I can hold on for a longer time to get a good result.
Even though your wrist is bothering you, and you may have a hard time last the entire day, I have to believe that it is great to be here representing Portugal.
Oh, definitely! I didn’t come here last year, so I’m going to try to make it better than last year. I think they (Portugal Team) took tenth; for sure we want top ten, but I want it better!
So after this race, your wrist will require surgery?
Yeah, I’m actually going to have surgery next Wednesday; as soon as I get home, my Doctor is all ready to operate. So I hope to get it fixed, and then star riding again.
Is it decided what supercross lites coast you will ride?
Yeah, the plan is to ride the 125 east coast series.
Reprinted
from
www.amamotocross.com
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