Unfortunately, we haven’t seen as much of Jess Pettis as we thought we would in 2022. After an injury forced him out of the 250SX East Series Jess went straight into outdoor testing aboard his all-new KTM450SX-F. However, with a few weeks of riding under his belt, Jess suffered another setback when he crashed while training at Glen Helen Raceway back in April and broke his wrist. Thankfully, Jess was able to get a quick surgery done on his wrist which ended up cutting the healing time almost in half. Now, with just days to go before the gate drops on the 2022 Triple Crown Series Jess is finally back on the bike and ready to race this weekend in Kamloops. We caught up with him as he just wrapped up a solid day of riding near his home in Prince George, BC.
MXP: Hey Jess, it’s been a while for sure. How are things going?
JP: Things are good. I was in Quebec for a month but the other day I returned home to PG to continue my preparation for this weekend and the rest of the series.
The last time we spoke you were just about to begin testing your new KTM450SX-F in California and you were healthy and happy. Sadly, not long after we spoke you had a crash at Glen Helen and injured your wrist. How is that injury doing now?
It’s doing pretty good now. I had surgery right away on it down in San Diego so that cut down not only my healing time but also kept me from having to get a cast on it. You know what it’s like when you have a cast on for a month and then when it comes off you’re weak and you have to rebuild muscle and get movement back. Getting injured again was bad enough so I didn’t want to go through that. Also, I knew that with the amount of healing time needed on my wrist that I’d be clear to ride just before this weekend so I at least wanted to have as much strength in my arm.
As you said, you just got on the bike this week. Overall, how does your wrist feel and how is your fitness?
Actually, all things considered, I feel pretty good and my wrist feels strong. It’s all healed so it’s not like last year when I had to go racing with a knee that wasn’t healed fully. As far as my fitness goes? I was able to cycle and train right after my surgery so I haven’t missed a step there. I actually feel better fitness-wise than I have in a long time. Am I going to be 100% this weekend? I don’t think so, but I’m not far off which is great considering what I’ve been through.
Between last year with your knee, racing the final round at Walton Raceway with your injured back, and now this, you are no stranger to adversity. Heading into this series, is the strategy to go out and try and get some moto wins early or perhaps to try and ease into the series?
Good question! Obviously, I’m not heading into this weekend feeling like I’m going to win both motos, but you never really know until the gate drops. Last year, I almost pulled the plug on racing the opening few rounds because all of the doctors told me that I needed two more months of healing time with my knee. But we decided to give it a go and I ended up winning races early and finishing second overall in the 450 series. Was it easy? Definitely not, but honestly this sport is never easy. So, we’ll just go to Kamloops, race as hard as I can, and see what happens. This summer we’re back to a longer series so I think that will play into my favour a bit.
You make a good point with the 2022 Triple Crown Series being back to a long coast-to-coast series. There is most certainly more time to get back into race shape. Earlier we spoke about you having a new KTM450SX-F model for 2022. You had some testing on it before your wrist injury, how is the new bike?
Actually, the new bike is great and I feel like it’s only going to improve as the summer goes on. We have some new suspension this year and so far it’s been great. KTM really improved the new bike for outdoors and I’m really happy with how it feels. We’re in a much better spot right now than we were last year before the opening round.
That’s good to hear Jess. You also have two new and younger teammates for 2022. Now, you’re the old and experience guy that gets to share your knowledge with a couple of teenagers. Jacob Piccolo is coming off a 250 Championship last year so he knows how to win races. Sebastien Racine is young, fast, and very determined, so far how is the vibe with the team?
It’s definitely different than last year that’s for sure. But, yeah overall things have been great and we’ve all gelled together pretty quickly. I’ve known Jake for a while now but I didn’t really know Sebastien before last month. As you said, both are young and fast and they want to win. It’s going to be fun under the tent this summer as having younger teammates always brings a little more energy to the team.
So, you’re finally healthy and ready to go, your new bike is great, and your team is ready to race this summer. It appears that this weekend the Kamloops area will be getting some wet weather. First, do you like the Whispering Pines track, and second, do you care if it rains all day on Sunday?
I love the track there as it’s pretty much my home track. Growing up I put a lot of laps on that track so yes I do like it. Also, I’ve heard that the new crew there has put in a lot of work to help make it great for this weekend. I don’t think Kamloops gets too many rain days during this time of the year as it’s pretty much a desert. But, if it rains that’s okay, being from PG I know how to race in the wet.
Well, if you think about, between this weekend and how unpredictable the early June weather is in both Alberta and Manitoba, all three of these opening west rounds could be wet. Overall though, you must be excited to finally have a true national series back for 2022?
I am for sure! I know the series did the best they could during the past two years with Covid and everything, but this having rounds back out west as well as out in Moncton is going to be fun. Hopefully, the fans come out and we’re able to put on a good show for them.
Rain or shine I’m sure the racing is going to be great this weekend and all summer long. Good luck Jess and thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
No worries Palms! Thanks for calling.