MD received good news regarding Mike LaRocco’s surgery and career prospects today in the form of a press release. Below is the release from Mike’s management Company, OMS Ltd.

Doctors & Mike expect full recovery with a planned return to
MX series opener at Glen Helen

FLORENCE, Ky., (Feb. 22, 2002) AMSOIL/Dr. Martens/Journeys/O’Neal rider Mike LaRocco went through what his doctors described as an “easy” surgery on Wednesday, and is expected to make a full recovery and continue with his professional racing career this summer.

LaRocco, who suffered an acute dislocation of the lunate (wrist joint) in Minneapolis last Saturday in a accident that saw Travis Pastrana land on him, said that his doctors reported there wasn’t as much damage to his wrist as initially expected.

“I tore the ligaments, but not all the way through,” said LaRocco from his home in Corona, Calif. “So I got it pinned and they pulled some bone chips out. The doctors all said it was an easy surgery. I’ll be in a cast for a while but plan to be in rehab right away to help speed the recovery process, about six weeks I hope.”

This is the first time in seven years LaRocco will miss a race. His last injury, ironically, came in 1995 in Charlotte when he broke his wrist while chasing Jeremy McGrath in the 250cc point’s race.

“I’m definitely bummed – seven years without missing a race,” said LaRocco. “And it’ll be hard to not be there for my teammates, everybody else around me. I want to be out there as bad as everybody wants me to be. I have obligations to Dr. Martens and our 125 guys. It all depends on my rehab schedule, but I should be back to hang out at the races by Houston (March 23rd).”

LaRocco was then quick to put the rest the “career ending” rumors that may be floating around. “My recovery will be difficult, this is no joke,” he said. “But I’m not scared to ride again. This is definitely not a career ending injury.”

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