Back in the Saddle: Austin’s Bergstrom bounces back from injury at Motokazie

Published 11:00 pm Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Cody Bergstrom of Austin smiles prepares for his first run at the Motokazie Supercross Series at the Mower County State Fair Tuesday. Bergstrom hadn't raced in three years due to a major injury he suffered in a previous race. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Cody Bergstrom of Austin smiles and prepares for his first run at the Motokazie Supercross Series at the Mower County Fair Tuesday. Bergstrom hadn’t raced in three years because of a major injury he suffered in a previous race. — Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

It must take a lot to scare Cody Bergstrom.

A devastating wreck that took him a year to recover couldn’t keep Bergstrom, a 32-year old Austin man, away from the Supercross Series.

Izaak Farrell of Austin climbs a jump during the 50cc heat at the Motokazie supercross Tuesday night at the grandstands of the Mower County Fair.

Izaak Farrell of Austin climbs a jump during the 50cc heat at the Motokazie supercross Tuesday night at the Mower County Fair grandstand.

Bergstrom was in his fourth race of the summer at the Motokazie Supercross Series at the Mower County Fair Tuesday, and he didn’t show much rust.

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He took second and fourth in the Vet Division and he finished second and had a stall in his two races in the the 450C.

Bergstrom said he didn’t feel a hint of fear when he got on the track on Tuesday.

“I wanted it more than ever. Coming off that injury, I really wanted to win,” he said. “Being up front is a good feeling. You have clean air and you aren’t eating anybody’s roost.”

Although he was healthy enough to race, Bergstrom still wouldn’t have been able to do it if it wasn’t for Trevor Brakken, who lent his bike to Bergstrom and sponsored him.

Brakken, who was there for Bergstrom in his recovery, was racing the pro series last summer and felt it was time to let Bergstrom get back out there.

“I’ve been there for it all,” Brakken said. “I’m jacked up on life watching him out there.”

Bergstrom said Brakken is like his coach, and he wouldn’t have come back without Brakken’s bike.

Steven Tiegs of Austin heads into a turn in the vet 30 and over heat race of the Motokazie supercross event Tuesday night at the Mower County Fair.

Steven Tiegs of Austin heads into a turn in the vet 30 and older heat race of the Motokazie Supercross event Tuesday night at the Mower County Fair.

The injury that set Bergstrom back happened three years ago when his throttle stuck and he over-shot a jump. Fearing that he was going to break his back, Bergstrom jumped off the bike in mid-air.

He ended up with broken bones in both of his lower legs, a crushed heal, and a broken talus bone.

When Bergstrom began his recovery process, things took a turn for the worse as he had multiple blood clots in his lungs.

“It was a bad recovery,” Bergstrom said.

After two years of riding, but not racing, Bergstrom is glad to get his competitive juices flowing again. He hopes to ride as long possible.

“I’ll probably stick with it as long as I can. Until I get hurt again,” he said.

In other Motokazie action, Nate Kohnke took second in his first race and third in the second race in the Pro Division.