Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
In what was supposed to be a successful return to Supercross but Saturday night in Montreal was anything but for Jess Pettis. After winning the opening main event in the 250 class, Pettis went into Turn 1 with full control and thoughts on winning Main #2. However, in the blink of an eye Pettis lost traction with his KTM’s front wheel and crashed, resulting in a torn ACL in his left knee. Understandably, Pettis didn’t want to talk too much about the status of his injured knee for a few days, but we caught up with him yesterday afternoon for a quick chat.
MXP: Hey Jess, good to finally chat with you. How is everything?
Things are okay! Sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday, I was busy getting scans done on my knee.
MXP: I’m sure everyone read your Instagram post where you said that the MRI showed that your ACL is completely torn. I guess the big question is, what’s next?
Good question! I’m getting some more scans done tomorrow and then I have to decide whether or not I’ll have surgery to fix it or leave it.
MXP: That sounds like a difficult decision, for sure.
Yeah, the MRI showed that only my ACL was torn, my MCL and PCL are both fine, so that’s good news. I spoke to Dean Wilson today and he gave me some advice as well as the number of the doctor in California who did his knee, and most recently Austin Forkner’s knee. Obviously that doctor would do a great job, but it wouldn’t be cheap. I also spoke to JSR today and he has a doctor in Montreal who is good. So, I’ll just get some more scans and then I’ll most likely have surgery here soon.
After starting his evening off with a victory in the first main event, Pettis went down at the start of the second main and injured his knee. Photo by James Lissimore
MXP: Well, it’s without a doubt an awful situation for you, but you’re young and in great shape. It’s probably better to get it fixed, take the time to heal properly and then come back strong in 2020 whenever that is.
For sure, it is what it is. I don’t know a lot about knee injuries, so I’ve been trying to find out as much as information as possible.
MXP: I don’t either, but from the videos that Dean Wilson posted the last time he had knee surgery, he was on a spin bike within a few days. So at least you’ll be able to keep busy and stay in decent cardio shape.
Hopefully that will be the case. I’m not one to just sit around on the couch so the sooner I can get moving the better.
MXP: You were pretty critical about the track and how bad it was. What do you think made it so bad?
I think it was just a combination of the dirt being so dry and slippery, plus the cars and ATVs that were at the event. Because of them the layout had to be altered, and in the end, it was just a fast, slippery and dangerous track. Last year it was great and so much fun, this year, not so much. I wasn’t the only rider who crashed. A lot of good riders went down, even Stewart crashed the same way I did. I’m not saying it was all of the track’s fault for my crash, but all I did was go into the first turn, just touch the front brake and boom! I was on the ground and now I’m out for most likely four months. It’s just too bad, especially when last year’s event was so good.
You can bet that after Pettis recovers from this latest set back that he will be back and will no doubt have some more moments like this. Photo by James Lissimore
MXP: Well Jess, MXP Magazine wishes you all the best and good luck with whatever ends up happening. Hopefully surgery goes well and then rehab goes even better, and then maybe we’ll see you race some East rounds of the Monster Energy Supercross Series?
That will definitely be my goal as I rehab my knee and heal up. Thanks for calling Palms and thanks for your best wishes. All the support from and everyone else really means a lot. Don’t worry, I’ll be back!
