Catching Up With… Austin Stroupe

elmo

• January 15 2009
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• 7 comments

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Pro Circuit bike of Austin Stroupe. In fact, it has been since June of last summer since Stroupe has lined up against all of his peers, due to injuries and a few other health related problems. Stroupe was slated to line up for A1 this year, but an unfortunate crash at the Kawasaki test track left him with a broken collarbone and, once again, more time off the bike. Now, however, Stroupe is healthy and riding again and plans on lining up for the first round of the East Coast Lites Regional Supercross Series in Houston, TX

The last time we saw you on the track was at the Thunder Valley National. What’ve you been up to this whole time?

Since I’ve been hurt I’ve been doing a lot of training. I broke my collarbone in December, so now it’s all healed up, and I’m ready to go racing.

How exactly did you break your collarbone?

Originally, I was slated to race the West Coast Lites Supercross class, but I ended up crashing on the same jump that [Christophe] Pourcel broke his collarbone on. It was just a dumb little jump that sent me over the bars. I had surgery the following day, took four weeks off, and I now I am back on the bike.

How is everything been going since your injury?

Everything has been going really well. I obviously missed out on a lot, but I’ve been able to get some good testing under my belt during the past week and a half. I’m looking forward to Houston in a couple of weeks.

Since you haven’t lined up for a race since the Thunder Valley National, are you excited to get back into the swing of things?

It’s been a good six or seven months (laughs). It’ll be good to be back out there. Hopefully I’ll go out there with some fire and take home the East Coast Lites Supercross title.

What do you think you’ll be able to accomplish this year?

I learned a lot last year, so this year I am looking for a title. I think I’m capable of reaching that goal, so I need to take things one week at a time.

Last year was your first full season as a professional, so does it make things a little bit easier on you coming into this year?

Well, I definitely think I did all of my learning last year. I did miss almost the entire outdoor season because of injuries and not being healthy, but I am full of maturity this year. I am looking forward to things.