Steve Ramon - Q&A.
Steve Ramon has made a positive recovery from the C7 neck fracture he sustained during the Grand Prix of Benelux in April.
The 2007 MX1 Motocross world champion underwent a final scan last week that confirmed the injury was fully healed and will now start intensive preparation for his return to grand prix duties after missing the last seven rounds.
Steve Ramon has made a positive recovery from the C7 neck fracture he sustained during the Grand Prix of Benelux in April.
The 2007 MX1 Motocross world champion underwent a final scan last week that confirmed the injury was fully healed and will now start intensive preparation for his return to grand prix duties after missing the last seven rounds.
Ramon has been diligently riding and training after an initial period of recuperation, and if his programme goes to plan this week then his first competitive step on the RM-Z450 will be at Nismes this weekend for the third round of the United Telecom Belgian Championship.
Ramon's first grand prix will be his home round at Lommel, Limburg on August 2nd.
Q:
Steve, how has the recovery come along?
Steve Ramon:
"Things have been going good. I have been riding for two-three weeks now and everything has gone quite well. It has been tough to get back into good shape and be able to do two 40-minute motos like before but I have been on the bike a lot and I am progressing.
Hopefully I should be racing and taking part in the Belgian Championship at Nismes. The first grand prix for me will be at Lommel so I have been practicing in the sand, but I have been also mixing it up with some hard-pack and other terrain. I have been doing exercises away from the bike to strengthen my neck muscles. Last week I had my last scan and it confirmed that the break had healed and I can go full gas and do everything like normal."
Q:
Was it as easy to get back into the swing of riding quickly as you expected?
Steve Ramon:
"Yes, but I thought it would be more difficult. I had something like eight weeks away from the bike, but I was actually quite surprised at how much I could get back into the rhythm. Of course at first I was just playing and getting the feeling back but I have been building my speed up, and now there is nothing holding me back."
Q:
How much riding have you been doing in the last couple of weeks?
Steve Ramon:
"I haven't been riding every day; that would be too much, but I have been alternating my training. I would say I am on the bike at least four times a week."
Q:
Is there any goal for Lommel in terms of results?
Steve Ramon:
"It is difficult to say. I want to come back strong and aim for the podium but while I know my own speed I am not really sure where I am compared to what the others are running. I have been making a lot of track time but I haven't been lapping with any of the GP guys. I feel that my speed is OK, but I know the deep sand of Lommel will not mean an easy race. I will just do my best and keep working hard."
Q:
Have you followed the season so far?
Steve Ramon:
"I have been watching the world championship but there have been no big surprises for me. Cairoli was already strong when I had the crash and although he had a couple of quiet races he is now back at the front; normally he should be the winner this year. Desalle has been riding well and Max Nagl has also been good and consistent recently. Overall it was strange to see the races on TV, because normally I'm there! It was a shame that there were so many injuries this season."