2014 AMA Supercross
When GEICO Honda rider Justin Bogle broke his shoulder blade and suffered multiple compression fractures in his back during the off-season, he assumed his 2014 Supercross season was over before it started.
But young bones heal fast, especially in the body of a finely tuned athlete, and the 20-year-old Bogle managed not only to return to action in time for the 250SX East series but he has been able to excel.
Currently fourth in the championship standings, just 25 off the lead and only eight points behind second-place rider Martin Davalos, Bogle has strung together an impressive run of five consecutive top-five finishes, including three podium results highlighted by a career-best runner-up effort last Saturday in Detroit.
“If one or two little things go my way, I’ll be in the middle of the podium (in first place),” said Bogle, who hails from Cushing, Okla. “I’m making really good progress every weekend. I’m getting the starts I need to ride up front and be in the mix. That’s really important. I’ll keep working and try to get better.
“I was really pleased with Detroit. I fell in right behind (winner Adam) Cianciarulo and just stayed in second the entire race. There weren’t many places to even attempt a pass, so we just rode hard and separated from everyone else. It was a good result for GEICO and Honda, and that made me feel great.
“This whole season has just been a giant bonus. My trainer had me in the best shape of my life before I crashed and I think that helped me recover quicker. It’s incredible that I’m able to ride at this level so soon, so I’m going to just keep my head down and work even harder to stay here.”
Teammates Matt Bisceglia and Blake Wharton have different goals for the coming weeks. A rookie in the pro ranks, Bisceglia looks to keep learning what it takes to be a top-flight rider, and Wharton prepares for minor knee surgery that he hopes will allow him to return by Round 16 in East Rutherford, N.J.
“I came out to California to work on some stuff this week,” said Bisceglia, the top amateur rider in 2013. “My dad and I have pinpointed a few things we think can make me faster. I need to get my starts down and there are a few technique things I can improve.
“Racing at the pro level is everything I thought it would be. Everyone is fast and you have to earn everything. Nothing comes easy. I’m at a point now where I feel like a podium finish is right in front of me. I don’t think it’s far-fetched at all to think I can be up there a couple of times before the season ends.”
Wharton sprained his knee a few races ago and further damaged it in training prior to last weekend’s Detroit race. He’ll undergo minor surgery to repair the damage.
“I’ll miss Toronto and St. Louis, so that’s two weeks of recovery time, then the tour goes back out west, so I’ll have two more weeks to heal up,” Wharton said. “Hopefully, that will be enough to get ready for New York and Vegas. I’m not ready to quit by any means.”
FOX Sports 1 will carry the Toronto round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series live beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, from the Rogers Centre.
