Photography: Swanberg/Stallo

Steven Clarke had what many would say was an above average rookie season. He came out of the amateur ranks and blistered through the pack, becoming a top contender in the 250 class. He ended his outdoor season in 14th, and showed he had the speed in SX to be a podium threat. He was on his way to a possible slot on Britain’s MX of Nations team when a crash took him out of the game. A crash that may now be threatening his strength going into the 2010 season.

Hey, Steven, first off when did you get hurt?
It was about two weeks before Des Nations. I was in contention to be riding for England. I just had to go to this race on the weekend and I got hurt on the Thursday before the event so I was unable to race. If I had raced I probably would have been racing Des Nations.

Did you attend the Des Nations?
No, I was in the hospital for almost two weeks.

What did you have for injuries?
Well I broke my wrist in like three places and that night my anesthetic wore off and it started to hurt real badly. I thought maybe my cast was too tight from the swelling so I had my doctor cut the cast to try and relieve it a bit, but that didn’t help. I told them it was still really hurting so they took it off fully. After they took it off it was still killing me so they had to take me back to surgery. Then they gave me this nice cut all the way from my elbow to my thumb to relieve the pressure and that proved to be the difference maker. Then they told me the next day if they had not done that, my hand would have been dead forever from the blood cutoff from the swelling. When the doctor cut it the thing just blew open and it was like an inch and a half wide cut. They had to leave it open for like eight days before it could be sown up.

Do you have a cast right now?
No I took it off and put a wrist brace on.

Are you able to work out?
Not really yet because I can’t use my wrist, it’s still really sore. I am doing leg work outs and cardio.

When can you start riding again?
Well I go to see Dr. Burg in the next week or two and he told me earlier the surgery I had required about three months off and it’s been a month. Hopefully it won’t be longer than another month, month and a half.

What team are you going to be with this year?
Should be the same team as last year [Suzuki City].

What Coast are you racing SX this year?
East coast for sure. It sucks because I’m only going to have like a month to train and try to get to 100%.

Last year was a fairly good SX season for you with a couple flashes of brilliance, what are you hoping for in 2010?
Well last year I was racing with a knee injury the whole season from before the first round. I was out of shape all season and I had a top five so I know I could have been up there easily. I am expecting top five, top three and maybe even win one even though I’m going to be pushing to be 100%.

Anything else you would like to say?
Just look out for me in SX this year, I’m going to be there whether I’m 100% or if I’m 10% and I’m going to give it my best. I hope everyone roots for me and helps me out. I’ll put on a good show, I always do! (laughs)

Well thank you, Scuba!
Thank you!