Matt Boni Update
Team Motosport Outlet/Kawasaki racer, injured at High Point, is looking forward to returning to racing action in the AMA Supercross Series
ORANGE, Calif., (Sept. 4, 2007) – After a promising first season on the Amp’d Mobile/AMA Supercross Series tour, a tough turn of events at High Point Raceway earlier this year put an end to a promising combined SX/MX rookie season for Florida’s Matt Boni (Motosport Outlet/Kawasaki).
The much heralded amateur motocrosser, having just finished his first Amp’d Mobile/AMA Supercross Series season in 13th place o/a (ESX), was set to raise the bar on the Outdoor National MX Series when a racing mishap at High Point torqued his knee and Boni was forced to go under the knife to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Prior to that forgettable weekend Boni just missed finishing in the top ten (11th o/a, 13-12) at his first pro National at Hangtown.
“Man, you can’t believe how bummed I was when that happened,” said Boni. “It was like everything I’d worked so hard for was taken away – in an instant.”
Boni persisted and went on to race – minus an ACL – at Budds Creek and RedBud during the following month. It got to the point where the pain was too much and the knee just wasn’t working in harmony with the rest of his well-tuned body, even though he was able to gut-out mid pack finishes at both Nationals.
But rather than dwell on the negative, the former National Amateur MX champion pursued a highly aggressive rehab program on his knee, enlisting the help of noted MX trainer Rob Beams.
“Matt’s come a long way in just a few short months since the injury and we’re already seeing signs of a 100-percent recovery in the injured knee,” said Beams. “An ACL tear, while no picnic, is something that athletes are able to overcome in this day and age. And Matt’s no exception. Young and in top physical shape, he’ll be back on a bike at the end of this month and dialed in for supercross when the season opens in Anaheim in January (2008).”
Added Boni: “Rob had me in a pool swimming laps two weeks after the surgery, and on a bike soon-there-after. My program now is more intense due to the fact I can’t ride. I’m extremely focused and working harder now than I ever have in order to return faster, smarter and leaner for the 2008 competition season.”
Boni’s highlights as an amateur were winning Ski Nautique AMA Amateur MX Nationals (Loretta Lynn’s) 125 B stock title in 2004 and 250 Pro Sport title in ‘06, along with the 2005 Dunlop Silver Tire Award for the highest number of points at the Gainesville (Fla.) Gatorback MX Park Mini O’s – as well as the Olympiad Award in the 250 A class.
“I’m definitely looking forward to aligning myself with a new team for the upcoming 2008 supercross and Nationals season and proving that I have the speed to run with the best motocross racers in the world,” said Boni. “Can’t wait to get back on my bike.”
