by Bad Billy
Between the Motos: Jason Thomas
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | 4:00 PM
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Jason Thomas has been racing professionally now for thirteen years. That’s like an eternity in this sport, but Thomas has always been known as one of the hardest-working riders on the circuit, which definitely has contributed to his longevity. Currently, though, JT Money has been struggling with a pretty serious injury. We caught up with the BTOSports.com/BBMX Suzuki rider to get the scoop for today’s Between the Motos.
Racer X: Jason, let’s get right to it—how are you doing in fantasy supercross this year?
Jason Thomas: [Laughs] Uhh, not as good as I was hoping. A lot of my guys have DNFed, so I have some ground to make up.
All kidding aside, your supercross season hasn’t gone as planned, especially since you’re a former German Supercross champion.
Yeah, it started out pretty good. I felt like I was really prepared coming into this season and it was going well. I had some bad luck—I got taken out in Phoenix—but I felt I was riding well. It’s obviously tougher to qualify this year than it ever has been in history, and then in Houston I was running inside the top ten for the first time all season and everyone knows what happened there, which was a bad deal. Honestly, ever since then it’s just been a struggle; I haven’t even been able to practice during the week and I’ve just been trying to get healthy.
JT has been battling a knee injury since Houston.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
To someone reading this who didn’t see Houston, tell us what happened.
I didn’t really know who was behind me. I knew guys were going to be coming because of who had crashed in the first turn—I knew some of the elite guys would be trying to catch up. So, I felt pressure and Alessi kind of ran me wide. My line was normally to square that turn up and then we’d wheel-tap onto that table top and then off. Well, Alessi bumped me and it kind of shoved me outside. I had never tripled onto that tabletop from the outside, so I got bumped and didn’t get to downshift and step over it, so I kind of cased it. And then when I went to accelerate off I had no drive, so I was going to go to the next table. Well, James [Stewart] had already committed behind me. I know in his frame of mind, when you crash in the first turn, it’s just like full panic to get to the front. I know he was already in that zone where he was just going to go for it. It was just bad timing, really. Obviously he didn’t mean to land on me and I didn’t mean to still be there. I’m sure he felt bad about it and it made his race a lot worse.
Did you guys talk about it afterwards?
He came up to me in Atlanta and apologized and I was like, “Oh man, I know you didn’t mean to land on me.” It was just kind of a bummer that I got a bad injury from it.
Talk about what you injured.
I tore my ACL and meniscus and sprained my PCL in my left knee. So, it’s pretty bad. I tried to keep it low key because I really didn’t know what I was going to do with it—if I was going to get it fixed or keep racing. But it’s been steadily getting better. Like, there was a ten-day window where I literally didn’t get off the couch or anything. I just sat in an ice machine and would lightly bicycle on my spin bike. I tried to ride two days before Atlanta and I could ride a little bit, but it wasn’t good, but I decided to try it anyway. Atlanta didn’t go great but it was OK. Like, I only missed the main by two in my LCQ, so I was pretty excited about that.
And then Daytona was the next weekend and it was really hard on it. It was a lot worse for it than I kind of anticipated and it set me back a little bit. I jammed it down pretty hard a few times. Looking back, I should’ve just sat out Daytona because it set me back.
This type of injury usually puts a rider out for months.
Yeah, but I probably can’t do a lot more damage to it, though. So it’s kind of a deal where if I could manage it and strengthen my quad and hamstring and calf to compensate for it, then I could get away with it. It’s the same situation I have with my right knee. I did that in ’04 and I’ve been kind of getting away with it ever since. If you could get away with it and it will stay in place and not dislocate, then it’s probably better than getting surgery and sitting out for five months.
It’s really not that uncommon. I know Carmichael did the same thing and he raced with it quite a while before he got it fixed. It happens to a lot of guys. A lot of guys don’t have ACLs and still race.
Thomas had his best finish of the year in Jacksonville.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Looking on the bright side of things, you did score a season-high finish this past weekend in Jacksonville.
Yeah, it was good. In the main event I felt like I was riding normally without worrying about my knee, and that kind of carried over to this week of practice. Yesterday I was just riding like I didn’t have a hurt knee, so I’m able to push a little harder.
You and Michael Byrne picked a good race to finish well at since it’s your team’s home-state race.
Yeah, definitely. It was the first race that both of us have qualified and both of us have done well. Byrner was hurt the first half of the season, and then I got hurt and missed the first race he was coming back for, so it finally came together for both of us. He even crashed on the start in Jacksonville, so it wasn’t a perfect weekend, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The team looks a lot different this year with no Lites riders under the awning. What’s that like for you?
Well, it’s good for me. They just had to re-focus the effort and the support. It’s been good for me because my bikes are better and there is more money to put in to the resources and stuff like that.
At this point, it appears like you’re just going to nurse your knee for the rest of the season.
Yeah, that’s the plan. It’s getting better now. I was kind of at a tipping point where if it didn’t start getting better I was just going to get it fixed. The way I was riding, I wasn’t happy with at all. In Indianapolis I felt I could’ve qualified easily if I could just ride normal, but I couldn’t. I didn’t feel good and couldn’t ride hard, so this week was a big change from that and hopefully it continues to improve.
Will we see your team at Hangtown in May?
We’ll definitely be at all of the outdoors this year.
How old are you now, JT?
I’m 31.
You’ve been at this a long time. Realistically, how much longer do you see yourself racing at this level?
Well, since this injury that’s something that I’ve really been putting a lot of thought into, and right now my decision is I’m going to finish this season and race a full season next year, do my Europe stuff and then try to win the German championship next. Like, I’ll race the final event the weekend of Anaheim 1 and then probably call it right there—that’d be the end of it. That’s what I’d like to do.
At 31, Thomas has been in this game for a long time.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Where do you see yourself after your racing career is over?
I don’t know. I feel like I’d like to do something with the sport since I’ve put my whole life into it. I feel like I have a lot of insight and if I’m an expert on anything, it has to do with racing. I’d like to do that, but it’s just really tough with the economy. I’ll just take it day by day.
Give me your expert opinion on the championship this year
It’s been pretty crazy. Obviously the players are all at the front, but I’ve been a little bit surprised at the inconsistency of everyone.
I know you’re a gambling man and a hell of a poker player, but if you had to put money on one rider right now to win the championship, who would it be?
[Laughs] My heart says Chad [Reed], because that’s who I ride with every day and that’s who I want to win, but if you’re betting on logic, you’d have to pick Villopoto. It’s hard not to. He’s won the most races and he still has the points lead after missing a whole main event. It’d be hard not to pick him.
Before we wrap it up, I know you’ve got some people you’d like to thank.
Yeah, I’d like to give a big thanks to BTOSports.com. They’re our title sponsor and they’re way more involved than anyone probably realizes. Vince at BTO basically keeps our team going, so a big thanks to him. Thanks also to the Butler brothers, Fly Racing, Palmetto Motorsports, and my mechanic, Dan Truman. He does a lot and I think he takes on a lot more responsibility than most probably have to deal with.
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JT is just collecting a check but not a factor at all. Time to give it up.
I am a big JT fan and love watching him ride. He is a good rep for the industry and I hope he stays in it somehow, some way.
picone fails to qualify back to dade city
JT, Good luck with the rest of year.
JT sucks...
Pinecone, when was the last time you qualified for a main event in supercross? Just curious as to why you would say JT sucks when he is a regular for main events when he isn't injured. Have some class. These guys deserve an enormous amount of respect for racing for their career. I bet you have never been in the top 20 (enter your crappy career here) in the United States.... you suck.
Collecting a check ? Obviously you have never ridden for Bustler Brothas.
pinecone, I hope you never coment on here again except to apologize for being a jerk
that Picone would come on here to say that?
Not trying to start crap here, but I have watched the video over and over and I've never seen anything that shows Mike Alessi bump JT in that corner. The videos I’ve watched online don't show the beginning of the corner real well....does anyone have video of that? On the linked video at 39 seconds, it shows Alessi inside Thomas but not bumping him or even really close to him. Just wondering if it took place earlier as they we entering the corner?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-PFygtk08I
Thats not the Picone that races artards.
Thats not the Picone that races artards.
You must be pretty smart if you can't even spell retard right! ahhahha dumbass! BTW Picone sucks and won't qualify for one main event ever.
I remember one time when Matthes was talking about some guys who were at practicing at Chad Reed's house (I think) and he was saying how Tim Ferry can do about 15 laps, Reedy can do about 20, and Jason Thomas can do about 60 or until the bike runs out of gas! I have alot of respect for him. He'll show up pretty much anywhere and he's been doing that for his entire career. GOOD LUCK JT$!!
I saw in one of the magazines that BBMX is the one team nobody wants to ride for- anybody know why? I mean specifically, not just the usual 'they suck' BS that is all over this site.
FUK YOU PICONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Picone. You're another one of these jealous, blathering idiots who probably couldn't cut it as local amateur..., that is if you can even ride a dirt bike, let alone race, you punk.
All you got is 'smack' to say about a Motocross/Supercross racer like Jason Thomas? Really? A guy who has stayed in the show into his 30's & managed to make a living doing what he loves? How do you make your living? Show some respect, bro. Crap, who wouldn't want to have his career? Only a jacka$$ like you.
You must be one of those, rich, spoiled, jobless, know-it-all-types, holed up in your mom's basement, typing away on her computer in your underwear, eating chocolate while you sip warm tea and spew your vile comments.
...and another thing: Jason Thomas probably craps bigger than you.
Pinecone=Loser
JT=Money
That's what I like about 'MOTO'. Anybody can show up & race (or try to qualify). Old or young, rich or poor. Moto shuts nobody out! C'mon & race!
JT$: Journeyman
i wonder if these riders ever think of getting there knee fixed with the LARS ligament ?? i know robbie madison just did one, it seem like a good move it only take 6-8 weeks to heal and they can be back out racing 100%. if i was able to get one i would
" Honestly, ever since then it’s just been a struggle; I haven’t even been able to practice during the week and I’ve just been trying to get healthy."...........am i wrong, or didn't i see video of him practicing at Reeds track the week before Daytona??
@ matt
I'll throw in my .02 cents here as I've had two separate KNEE meniscus removal repair PROCEDURES (one per knee), a 'right' ACL and two 'left' ACL knee procedures surgeries done to date.
My most recent ACL surgery (5 weeks ago today) was a replacement for the my first left knee ACL, done many years ago. A CADAVER (donor graft) was used as was the other most recent ACL (2003). Years of 'weekend-warrior' thrashings..., what can I say!?
My knee surgeon is an extremely experienced knee & shoulder ORTHOPEDIC specialist. He's fixed probably about 8-900 knees in his day (He previously worked with the U.S OLYMPIC SKI TEAM for over a decade), since developing and perfecting the current widely used ARTHROSCOPIC methodology.
The procedure you're speaking of (LARS) uses a SYNTHETIC/artificially created ligament. Unfortunately, some ARTIFICIAL ligaments have been prone to FAILURE related problems due to a fraying of the FIBERS within the artificial ligament as it is called on to function normally.
Obviously each person's injuries are different and require careful consideration. My surgeon recommended a DONER GRAFT over the synthetic..., and over the 'PATELLAR GRAFT procedure' some surgeon's also utilize.
The knee, under normal day-to-day circumstances, is under constant PRESSURE & FRICTION as it functions underneath over 80% of our body weight. As you can probably appreciate, adding physical activity to a HEALTHY KNEE is taxing enough. When a knee has been damaged and then repaired, returning to you're chosen routine and/or sport really requires a great deal of PATIENCE, lots of ICE & PHYSICAL THERAPY.
Most people try to return to normal levels of activity too soon (done it myself in the past). The strength & confidence you need, both in your knee and in your head, should be achieved in a proper amount of time or you may damage/re-injure a knee on it's way to a successful recovery. Such setbacks can really affect not just the knee but an ATHLETE'S MENTAL ATTITUDE, which can often be the hardest part of dealing with a sport related injury.
I'm happy to say (knock wood) that I now have full EXTENSION & FLEXION with my knee, swelling is almost completely gone, no pain and no limp either! Haven't really needed crutches for over two weeks but I use them everywhere to protect & remind myself I'm still on-the-mend; not back to full strength yet. Don't plan on getting back on the bike for at least two more months but by summer (with MOTO KNEE BRACES on both legs), I'll be good to go.
If you ever need an ACL, find a very experienced 'Ortho', discuss the best procedure for the injury (and level of activity you want to return to) and then go for it! Stick to the post-op REHABBING too; it will serve you well.
JT is a great guy. Works hard, doesn't complain about who has what and rides well. Without guys like that we would have 10 man mains and no qualifiers...give these guys their due respect.
Can't wait till Hangtown!
@kg
i have been through 4 ACL surgerys *currently going on another and have had doner graft and hamstring graft Both have failed on me while wearing braces. i have read up on the bad sin ligaments (made by B&L) , the LARS to me has more time on the market and has a better track record with lots of big name athletes (danny way, mike spinner, robbie madison) useing them. i feel that even if you only get 5 years out of it its well worth it , because i didnt get 2 out of mine, so if i had the money and means to go through with a LARS i would
this here from danny way makes me feel its worth the try.
http://www.larsligament.com/downloads/Testimonials/Article6.pdf
Hey Matt,
Sorry to hear you are on ACL reconstruction #5. Damn knees are a bit-ch, once you injure them..., sure don't need to preach to you. We know each other's pain. Doner & hamstring failure..., awful, man.
What braces were you using and have you switched to another brand? I'm now practically 50 (I imagine you're not...) and am guessing you probably ride a lot harder than I do these days. Makes me think of the old saying, "The older I get, the faster I was".
Earlier today I may not have realized that there were other synthetic ligaments before the LARS (which may have since become obsolete) and probably where most of the negative press came from about that type of procedure.
Did you see the vid of D.W.'s knee procedure in Vienna, Austria? Pretty brutal! Drop this code y8ksLXQ2AY0 into Youtube and it should pop right up for you. I can't imagine he went through that w/o a spinal block!
I wish you great success, a speedy/full recovery and plenty of healthy track time in your future, bro. Stay strong!
@KG
Astrisk braces it what i have used sence the day they came out. i dont know what to say other then i have extreemly bad luck. the last time wasnt even in a crash. was hitting this soso sizes triple (50ft) and tryed to make it into a quad by jumping to the take off the next jump (70ft) came up short and faced it hard . the knee let go and nuts hit the gascap rode over to my truck and puked. just waiting for bone graft to heal now then i can play this song and dance all over again.
JT = ":That's racing" <= true moto
The term 'privateer' has always been somewhat nebulous and ill~defined in the motoworld...what exactly does it encompass?
When I think of the word 'privateer', it conjures memories of Tony D in that dorky Full House getup, crisscrossing the country with his mechanic in a Ford Econoline van... a true 'poor boy' operation, nothing like "Two~Two". Because of the Yamadog Mini Enduro (drool!), this sort of privateering basically was killed off. When there were guys who had been twisting it since they climbed out of their cribs like Ward, Myerscough, et al available to the then~large factory teams, there wasn't much room for privateers in main events.
The ascendance of the alphabet soup 'mini~factories' (such as CH, DG, DMC, FMF, LOP,etc.) and others (Fox Racing and such) began the chipping away at the dominance of the sport by works bikes and factory riders. culminating in the historic 1~1 by Marty Moates on the LOP Yamadog at the 500cc USGP.
Were you there, Carlsbad? I was! ; )
The 1980s ushered in a new concept...the 'satellite' factory teams, one of the first of which was Team Tamm, headlined by Alan King. With access to cutting~edge equipment, the satellite teams were the next rung on the ladder below a full factory ride...by the end of the '80s, the satellite teams headed by TeamPeak/ProCircuit were ruling the 125cc class, and and serious contenders in the 250cc.
Jeremy McGrath, due to his overwhelming stranglehold on 250cc SX ushered in the next phase...the owner/operator team. While MC never headed his own team per se, his supercross~only agenda has been the goal of aspiring champions since those times. If it wasn't for RC4, the outdoor series (REAL moto~cross...respect, braddahs) would be a footnote.
So, then, in the end what constitutes 'privateer' status?. It appears to me that this is more a state of mind than a state of being. We all still worship Team Honda as the ultimate source of trickness ~ this is and of itself is the reason why a 'factory ride' still remains the Holy Grail of moto, despite that Honda hasn't won since RC .
Top privateer