In what has been an on again off again amateur career, Ian Trettel looked towards Mini O's as his big comeback race. He was unable to race Loretta's due to a broken wrist, but was rumored to have picked up speed during his time off. His lap times early in the week in Florida were amongst the fastest in his class. Then the unthinkable happened. While leading his third moto of the week, his arm gave way while skimming the whoops...leaving him sidelined throughout the rest of the week. On top of all the bad luck experienced at Mini O's, soon thereafter Trettel's long time relationship with Suzuki quickly came into question due to cut backs within the company. The future for Trettel looked uncertain at best. But just as he's done time and time again, Trettel put his head down, healed his injury and now has a new deal with Suzuki heading into 2009. Read on to find out all this and more.

Explain what happened at Mini O's. You didn't crash, but you did re-break your arm. What happened.
It's kind of hard to explain. Going into Mini O's my arm was completely healed, I know some people think the injury was due to getting back on the bike to soon, that wasn't the case. It came down to the hardware in my arm and the placement of some things. I was just skimming the whoops and my arm buckled. Over all, It was a freak thing, bad luck, it happens. I honestly didn't want to believe that it happened, I was shocked. It was an unfortunate time to get hurt and the only thing I could do was get my arm fixed again and hope to be healed before the Texas Nationals.

Where did you take things from there?
After it happened, I flew out to California and had my arm worked on by Dr. Ting and Tuan. I had my surgery done, they did a great job, I can't thank them enough. It's been six weeks and I just flew back out to California for a check up. They gave me a physical therapy program and they took some more xrays. The doctor says I'm fully healed and ready to go. I actually started riding on Monday so everything feels great. I feel good riding, my arm feels awesome.

Are you going to be ready for Whitney and Oak Hill or what's the plan?
Ya, my goal for right now is to be able to hit the last Winter Am in Florida. We'll see how it goes, I don't know if that's pushing too hard, too fast.  Realistically, it all depends on how I feel. I also may try to hit a few races before Whitney and Oak Hill.

The AMA just posted their advancement list, and you are one of the riders that has to move up this year. Does that mean we'll see you riding A at Whitney?
Well, my Dad, Cole - when he was working for Suzuki - and Ronnie, my trainer, we were all talking about that a few weeks ago. Last year, I was hurt a lot and I didn't have a lot of time to get some experience under my belt...In the NMA rules you don't have to move up, so, I'm thinking I may not go to Whitney and just ride B at Oak Hill and go A at World Mini. I definitely have to qualify for Loretta's in the A class, that's not an issue. I just want to get back into things and get a couple more races under me before I jump into the A class.

Who is the guy to beat in the B Class?
I really think that Anderson is the heavy hitter this year. There are a bunch of guys moving up and it's hard to just pick out people. The B Class is definitely stacked.

The biggest question now is what's your deal bike wise, for next year? We've heard a couple different possibilities.
As of right now, Suzuki has put together something. We have been talking to them about it and as of right now I do have something lined up to stay with Suzuki.

Your boy Futrell has been down in Florida, he's been hauling, have you had some time to ride with him at all?
Ya, that's what I've heard. (Laughs) No, actually I haven't. Hopefully I'll be able to soon. I need a couple days to get back into things and get some time in before I really start pushing myself. I don't want to make a stupid mistake.

Where have you been riding?
I have been riding at our good friend Baker's house and at Hardrock. They have a really awesome sand track and it really helps with training. I just want to ride locally until I get my speed back up then I'll go to Waldo and start riding with Futrell and guys like that. (laughs) I kind of made a promise to myself that I won't go anywhere ridiculous for a couple weeks.

What's this College deal?
Well I graduated High School and my Dad and I were talking and I don't usually ride on Monday's, so, I could take a class at the college by my house and get some credits here and there and work up for my Engineering degree. That way if something didn't work out in motocross I would have something to fall back on.

I'd like to thank Rockstar Suzuki, Fox Racing, Dr. Ting and Tuan out in California, Ronnie Tichenor, Smith, DVS, Hardrock Cycle Park - the track is great, it's right by my house and everyone there is awesome, and my Mom and Dad, my mechanic Jason.