Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Arminas Jasikonis was bittersweet on his return to FIM Motocross World Championship racing nine months since his serious accident at Mantova that was initially feared to be career-ending and life-altering. After his crash in Italy the young Lithuanian was airlifted to hospital and placed into a forced coma. Fortunately, he still retained feeling in his body and was able to leave close medical supervision after a week.
Since then, the 23-year-old has been negotiating a steady period of recuperation and rehabilitation, while still dealing with the effects of nerve damage. Jasikonis elected against contesting the season-opening Grand Prix of Russia but took to the start gate at Matterley Basin last weekend where he completed enough laps to rank 24th in the second moto.
“Of course, it’s really cool, really nice to be back…but I’m also really, really not happy with how today went,” he said exclusively. “I had an issue with my hand in the first moto and some pain. I know I have a lot of homework to do and I only rode 70% here because I could not push anymore.”
“This is my starting point,” he added. “A small part of me is happy to be back but another big part is not happy and is very motivated. Physically I’m know I am good. In the tests and everything we do each day we see it is going [well]…the problem is missing all the racing time. I’m sure we’ll be better at the next one.”
Jasikonis won a moto in Latvia last summer and took two podium finishes before his smash at Mantova.
Article: Adam Wheeler
Image: Husqvarna
