Ross bounces back from injuries

12:11pm Tuesday 1st April 2008

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Despite numerous falls and injuries, biker Ross Clarke keeps coming back - and recently became a Supercross champion. Reporter DAVID MILLS speaks to him.

MOTORCYCLE champion Ross Clarke has been in the wars. After having rods drilled through his bones and lasers to treat his injuries, not many people would have the courage to make a comeback.

But the 15-year-old, who lives in Kydbrook Close, Petts Wood, battled hard to get back on track.

And in February he became the Amateur Cycle Union British Supercross champion in the 13 to 16 age group for 2007/8.

Supercross is a cycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on artificially made dirt tracks.

Ross said: "No matter what I do, I always find a way to ride again.

"Once you ride you forget about everything.

"Once you are fit again, it does not really matter. You love sport and that's what you like doing."

Ross, who attends Darrick Wood School, Lovibonds Avenue, Orpington, took home the title after competing with 11 other riders in front of a 10,000-strong crowd in the national final at the O2 Arena in Greenwich.

However, his road to glory has been plagued by injury.

During a race in August last year, another motorcyclist landed on Ross's head following a jump which went wrong.

Ross suffered a broken arm, a tyre burn on his arm and an exhaust burn on his back.

He had to have three metal rods drilled through his hand and arm, followed by laser treatment.

Ross also lost feeling in two fingers due to nerve damage, and is only just regaining use of them.

However, just three months after being injured, with his arm heavily strapped and fingers taped together, Ross bounced back.

He took part in the first round of the British Supercross Championship in Sheffield, which he later went on to win at the O2.

He first suffered an injury in 2005 during a Supercross event at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Ross fell off his bike and broke two bones in his lower leg.

But despite all his falls and broken bones, Ross says he never thinks twice about climbing on a bike.

He said: "I have no fear despite all my injuries.

"When I fell and broke my arm, I knew straight away I'd broken it.

"I immediately thought of the safety of others and about getting my bike under control."

Ross says when he was injured it was difficult for him to watch any races.

He added: "It was frustrating because it's annoying to sit and watch your friends riding."

Ross has been into the sport since he got his first quad bike when he was three years old.

He watched videos of professionals as a child and his father also used to ride.

Ross said: "I love motorcycling because of the adrenaline.

"There's no other feeling in the world.

"One day I'd like to ride professionally and make a living out of riding."