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Downtime With Jacko Strong

Written by Goba Friday, 06 May 2011 09:58

Downtime With Jacko Strong

by gobadirt.com

photos by B.Gardi/redbull.com, Grant Cross

Jacko Strong proved at the first round of Redbull X-Fighters in Dubai that it pays to be strong! During qualifying he experienced one of the biggest crashes of his career when he overjumped executing a Stipper Flip and came crashing down hard on the flat well past the downramp. If you happened to see the accident online you'd swear he would have suffered some type of spinal injury, it definitely looked that way seeing the accident live. If it wasn't for Jacko's supreme fitness and strength the end result could have ended that way, but taking fate into his own hands Jacko has worked hard over the years to ensure he is strong enough to handle the toughest of accidents and came away from Dubai with minimal injuries. Now back recovering in Oz I gave him a quick call to talk about what happened and to find out when he'll be back riding at full speed. Goba.

Jacko, you scared us over in Dubai mate: Yeah I had a big one didn't I!

Do you remember what happened: When I entered the corner before the jump I shifted down to first gear, but it didn't click in properly, so heading out of the corner I clicked it up a gear thinking I was going into second but it actually went into third. That jump I hit you don't use a lot of revs until right at the ramp, and that's when I realised I was in third and already committed to jumping. I then had to pay the consequences.

At what point did you realise you were screwed: I think it was off the kicker when I realised I was in third. I still wanted to do my trick (Stripper Flip) thinking of scoring good, but when I was coming around and ready to get back on the bike I saw I was way past the downramp and thought, shit, this is going to hurt!

Jacko has the potential to be a contender for the X-Fighters crown.

Do you remember actually hitting the deck: Yeah, although I think I was knocked out for a couple of seconds, or longer. I remember trying to breath and getting into the helicopter, but not much more than that really. I'd lacerated my liver before so I knew there was something wrong inside as it was a similar feeling. By the time I arrived at the hospital I was breathing again pretty good, and although in pain started to feel better after a while.

I saw your crash from the judging tower and thought you'd be lucky to escape some type of spinal injury, and you were lucky eh: Yeah for sure. My rear wheel took most of the impact before I made contact with the dirt. I was lucky to come away with only a punctured lung and a sore foot (bruised heal), it could have been a lot worse!

How are you feeling now: Good. I've started to feel better over the last couple of days.

Lucky you're a fit bugger: Yeah, if I wasn't fit I would be f#$ked! I've been working hard on my fitness and strength exactly for this reason, to escape big crashes when I have them. Like there's no way I would have survived the whole Crusty Tour if I wasn't. I also learned how to roll when crashing to minimise injury.

Where you well looked after in Dubai hospital: Yeah no problems at all. It was good having Redbulls doctor there to overlook everything. He's a big strong guy too, and it was great knowing you've got someone with you that you can trust. When I arrived at the hospital they straight away stuck a scalpel in my side between my ribs next to my lung. Then the Doc stuck two fingers in the hole, then stuck a tube in to relieve a heap of blood and shit. When you puncture a lung air escapes into your chest and make sit hard for your lung to grow bigger again because it has so much air around it. As soon as the air is let out the lung returns to its normal size and the hole covers over. (Photo above:  Jacko practicing at his home compound)

I thought you had to be stuck in hospital for three weeks before being aloud to fly home: I was meant to but couldn't be f#$ked. My uncle is a good doctor/surgeon, so I could him and explained where I was at and he said I should be fine to fly home after a week if I was fit.

So when will you be back on the bike: My foot is still sore so the only riding I've done is on my 85 busting out a few tricks for fun.  

What have you got coming up event wise: I'm heading to Europe in a week to do the first Crusty show there. I'm supposed to be Front Flipping but I've had to  pull the pin on that because by the time I get back on the bike in the next week or so it's going to be too hectic to get them dialed in time.  I plan to spend more time at home recovering and learning more tricks as last year I spent so much time learning the Front Flip my regular tricks suffered, and next time I go to X-Fighters I want to be really prepared. I'll also work on the Front Flip so I'm confident I can pull it to dirt off any comp ramp. I actually told myself if I made it to the finals in Dubai I'd pull the Front Flip, but because of the different shaped ramps I'm not sure how it would have went so I need to work on them until I reach the point they're just like a Backflip for me.  (Photo above: Jacko with his girlfriend Amy)

Thanks for your time Jacko, stoked you're OK after that monster crash, and hope to see you back soon: Yeah thanks for the call, talk soon.