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Jonny Walker – Back In Action

Jonny Walker returns to action today, four months after breaking his leg at the penultimate round of the SuperEnduro World Championship. Now fully fit and 100% recovered from his injury the KTM star is ready to return to competition and the start of Red Bull Romaniacs 2016. Following what’s been a long and frustrating rehabilitation process, Walker is both excited and motivated to start the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rally. Feeling fit, confident and looking forward to getting back to business, the defending Red Bull Romaniacs champion has his sights set on challenging for the win in Romania…

Firstly Jonny, how does it feel to be back racing again after what must have seemed like a lifetime away from competition?

Jonny Walker: “I’m really excited. When you’re injured it’s hard sitting on the sidelines spending all your time training and waiting to get back on a bike. A month away from racing feels like a year. But as frustrating as it’s been I think it’s really made me more determined. I guess when you can’t ride a bike you realize just how much that sucks and how important it is.”

When did you get the all clear from your doctors to throw a leg over your bike?

Jonny: “I’ve been back on a bike for about three weeks now. Initially I had expected to ride a bike before Erzberg but my injury took twice as long to heal. But I’m in a good position now, those extra few weeks of healing and rehabilitation will hopefully mean no complications down the line.”

You’ve been away from competition for over three months, has it changed your outlook on racing in any way?

Jonny: “Racing bikes is what I do, it’s who I am. When you can’t actually do that it makes you realise and appreciate how much you love doing it. Obviously, it sucked being out of action but it has given me a massive boost of motivation to push harder than ever to return to the top.”

You’ve clocked up some miles on the new 2017 KTM 300 EXC now, what are your initial impressions of the bike?

Jonny: “I love it. I’ve been riding it in standard trim and it’s definitely a level above the old model. I really like that there’s no engine vibrations, that makes a huge difference. It’s slimmer and lighter and it feels like it’s a 125 you’re chucking about.”

As the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rally, do you view Romaniacs as your best or the hardest race to return to?

Jonny: “It’s certainly going to be a challenge. The one thing I lack is competitive bike time and in Romania we race for five days. So in one way Romaniacs is the perfect place to return to racing. I see it as a race that gives me an opportunity to build and improve on my riding throughout the week. I’m 100 per cent in it to win and I believe I can.”

Already twice a Romaniacs winner, as well as the defending champion, how important is it to start with the #1 plate on your bike?

Jonny: “I always get a massive kick out of seeing my bike with the #1 plate on it. It’s a pretty special thing because with a race like Romaniacs you know you’ve earned it. I’ve had two wins here now, and I’ll be giving it everything I can to get a third...”

The Red Bull Romaniacs takes place in Sibiu, Romania from July 12-16.