Derek Drake to Undergo Heart Surgery

Man, terrible news dropped this morning regarding BarX Suzuki rider Derek Drake. 

Drake announced on Instagram this morning that he will be undergoing heart surgery this month in order to fix a rare heart condition. He said he’s been dealing with the condition “since I can remember.”

Below is his full post:

“Alright time to set the record straight. Since I can remember I’ve had to manage and live with a rare heart condition. I never knew this condition would affect me so much when it came to my fitness and health as a pro athlete. The last 2 years Ive been training and suffering everyday and I’ve been getting no where I just thought I needed to train harder, and I just buried myself. In amateurs I could get by because the longest motos we had to do were 20 minutes at LL. But as a pro athlete It’s holding me back from getting to the level of fitness I know I need to train at and be consistent with. I decided to put my health first and this month I plan to undergo heart surgery in hopes that I can move forward with ease and heal my body properly. I am taking some time off to get better and I will be back.”

Drake spent his rookie year in supercross with Troy Lee Designs/KTM in 2020, finishing seventh in the 250SX West Region. He was hindered by an illness in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross and finished just 20th in points. After a year and half with TLD (he turned pro at Hangtown in 2019), he did not return to the team, as they switch to GasGas for 2021 and beyond. 

He signed with the BarX Suzuki team this season but missed most of Monster Energy Supercross with a compound fracture of his femur. He made just two main events in the 250SX West Region, finishing 21st in both. 

Through three rounds of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, Drake currently sits 23rd in points with his best moto finish of 14th coming in the first moto at High Point. 

Everyone here at Vurb wishes the best to Drake in his recovery. 

Main image: Suzuki

Written by Slaw Dog

Just a dog trying to find my special bun.

Loretta Lynn’s Apprentice Returns for 2021; Application Now Open

Morning Espresso: The Cat Jumping Over a Pool; Davalos’ Hole in One; SX Trivia with Ken Roczen and More