No ACL, no worries for tough Reardon
DAN Reardon will put off having knee surgery in a bid to keep his hopes alive of winning a sixth Australian Supercross Championship.
The Mt Nathan resident is ranked fourth going into Round 4 and 5 of the six-round series this weekend in Sydney and could take the lead by the end of racing on Sunday.
Reardon has managed to get through the series so far without an anterior cruciate ligament, meaning his stability while hauling around a motorbike at high speeds is compromised.
But the 31-year-old – who is the oldest rider in the series – is so used to the absence of the ACL he has learnt to compete without one.
“If I hit the ground hard enough it upsets it a little bit but it’s nothing to worry about,” Reardon said.
“I’ve dealt with this injury over the last couple of years so it’s just another day really.
“The knee is never as stable. The ACL does a crucial job of keeping the knee stable, especially for any directional changes.
“It’s just when you have little mistakes or accidents. That’s when it can be sore or doesn’t really support myself or the leg as well as it should. It’s a manageable injury.”
Reardon opted to have alternative surgery on his ACL during last year’s series, with the reduced recovery time allowing him to keep racing.
The Kawasaki rider re-tore it just eight weeks later and has since gone without.
Reardon said he planned to have it operated on at the end of the current series.
Burleigh resident and Honda rider Todd Waters will go up against Reardon and a packed field full of international riders at Qudos Bank Arena tomorrow and Sunday.
Waters is ranked fifth and within reach of claiming his maiden Australian Supercross Championship.
American Justin Brayton leads the series.
Waters, 26, said the presence of high-quality internationals could either make or break his title aspirations.
“Bringing those guys into the mix will mean there is a good chance to get some important points,” Waters said.
“If I can put them between me and some of the other guys it will help. This weekend’s start is going to be important.
“If we can put ourselves in a good position we have a good chance of bringing home the win.”