What happened to Gareth Swanepoel at Houston ?
Thursday 17 February: AMA Supercross web-watchers would have been aware of the South African export's debut into the Supercross Lites East region opener at Houston last weekend.
Swanepoel, inked a
deal with the factory supported DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha's Bobby Regan late
last year, after prematurely leaving the GP series to contest the last 3
rounds of the AMA Motocross series.
'Swanie’s' strong performances secured the
25-year-old a seat on the Yamaha 250F and he has adapted to Supercross
extremely well after almost 10 years on the FIM Motocross World
Championship circuit.
"I really
enjoy riding Supercross and I’m surprised how well I have adapted to
it” admitted Swanepoel.
"I have raced all the major supercross races in Europe like
Bercy, Dortmund, Sheffield and did well so have always wanted to race in the USA
and try my hand at Supercross."
At Houston he qualified fastest in both his group
qualification sessions, he looked determined to mix it up with a talented
pool of American racers. ‘Swanie’s’ night was cut
short when he crashed in the whoops with one and a half laps to go, while in
a qualifying position in his heat race.
The crash was minor however
Swanepoel was hit directly by another rider who could not avoid him and the
impact was quite severe also fracturing several ‘process bones’
which form part of the vertabra.
"Luckily the injury is not as
bad as it sounds and the Doc says I should be cleared to ride after another
check up in four weeks. The T12 compression was very slight so no
worries there and the little ‘process wings’ should grow
back. Watching the video, it was a stupid crash but Bagget
unfortunately had committed in the whoops and had nowhere to go and hit me
square on. Even watching it now it knocks the wind out of me.
I really enjoy riding Supercross and can’t wait to get back on
the track again. Injuries are a part of our sport so my focus will
be to get healthy and ready to race.” vowed the optimistic South
African.
![](/i/images/216e/swanie720.jpg)
Photo courtesy of Simon Cudby/DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha