Racer X Online - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X Online

  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News

Racer X Online - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X Online

  • One Click Sign-In

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    OR

    Sign in with your username and password

    • Sign In
  • Features
    • 10 Things
    • 30 Greatest AMA Motocrossers
    • 3 on 3
    • 250 Words
    • 450 Words
    • Between the Motos
    • Breakdown
    • Deals of the Week
    • GNCC Report
    • Great Battles
    • How to Watch
    • Injury Report
    • Insight
    • In the Mag, On the Web
    • Lockdown Diaries
    • Longform
    • MXGP Race Reports
    • My Favorite Loretta Lynn's Moto
    • Next
    • Observations
    • On This Day in Moto
    • Open Mic
    • Privateer Profile
    • Race Day Feed
    • Racerhead
    • Racer X Awards
    • Racer X Redux
    • Rapid Reaxtion
    • RX Exhaust
    • Saturday Night Live
    • Staging Area
    • The Conversation
    • The List
    • The Moment
    • Things We Learned at the Ranch
    • Unphiltered
    • Wake-Up Call
    • Where Are They Now
  • Multimedia
    • Podcasts
    • Photo Galleries
    • The Weege Show
    • Racer X Films
    • Video
    • SX Preview Shows
    • Factory Tech Tip
    • MX Preview Shows
    • Behind The Bars
    • Racer X Rapid News
  • Races
    • Series Schedules
    • TV Schedules
    • Results
    • Champions
    • Teams
    • 2021 Numbers
  • Results
    • Points Standings
    • Race Results
    • Riders
    • The Vault
    • Loretta Lynn's Vault
  • The Mag
    • Customer Care
    • Digital Magazine Bookstand
    • Current Issue
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Store Locator
    • Sell Racer X
    • Free Stickers
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Table of Contents
  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News
Results Archive
Supercross
Atlanta 1
Articles
450SX Results
  1. Eli Tomac
  2. Chase Sexton
  3. Cooper Webb
Full Results
250SX West Results
  1. Nate Thrasher
  2. Justin Cooper
  3. Cameron McAdoo
Full Results
Australian MX
Wonthaggi
Articles
Supercross
Atlanta 2
Articles
450SX Results
  1. Ken Roczen
  2. Chase Sexton
  3. Jason Anderson
Full Results
250SX West Results
  1. Justin Cooper
  2. Hunter Lawrence
  3. Cameron McAdoo
Full Results
Live Now
GNCC
Tiger Run
Articles
Live Now
Supercross
Atlanta 3
Articles
450SX Group C Qualifying 1
  1. Joshua Greco
  2. Luke Neese
  3. Vann Martin
Full Results
250SX West Group C Qualifying 2
  1. Dawson Ryker
  2. Chris Howell
  3. Kyle Greeson
Full Results
Upcoming
Supercross
Salt Lake City 1
Sat Apr 24
Articles
Upcoming
GNCC
Hoosier
Sat May 1
Articles
Upcoming
Supercross
Salt Lake City 2
Sat May 1
Articles
Full Schedule
Insight: Michael Mosiman
Aaron Hansel

Aaron Hansel

Insight Michael Mosiman

December 30, 2020 5:00pm
by: Aaron Hansel
  • Home
  • Insight
  • Michael Mosiman on Concussion Recovery, 2021 Expectations

Mobius Technologies, creators/inventors of the X8, the most protective, comfortable knee brace on the market utilizing innovative patent pending technology, which incorporates the CCRS (Continuous Cable Routing System) to form an unparalleled system of support and protection. The forged, CNC machined dial makes fit adjustments on the fly and through pants easy. Fully lined with plush EVA foam, a comfortable, impact-absorbing surrounding is created.

Advertisement | Advertise with Us

Michael Mosiman has had some great rides since turning pro in 2017 with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team, but he’s been just a tad off the pace of being a consistent podium threat. Now, after missing the entire 2020 season of Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship with a concussion, he’s regrouped and is looking to take the next step with his new team, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Factory Racing. We spoke with Mosiman this week to get an update on how things are coming along.

Racer X: Michael, what’s up? It’s been a while since we’ve seen you line up. When was the last time you raced?
Michael Mosiman: Since what, June? The last round in Salt Lake.

Is that the worst concussion you’ve ever had?
Most definitely. It was not good at all.

What was it like coming back from that? Were there any special procedures you had to go through or was it pretty much just hurry up and wait?
I’ve had a number of concussions. What’s calculated as a concussion, and what’s not is kind of unclear, but I’ve hit my head a number of times. I’ve never had any symptoms the next day. The next day I’ve usually been just fine. But with this one I’ve had lasting symptoms past the first day, really for a few weeks. I went to a specialist, the guy who works with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronk [Rob Gronkowski] was in there just before I was. He’s dealing with those guys, he’s a specialist. I went in there and I know the concussion protocol so well because I use to work really closely with the guy who ran it. I went in there and the guy was like, “You’re doing everything right, as far as rehabilitation.” There’s actually a lot more you can do for concussion rehabilitation than what people used to think. It’s come a long way. He was stoked, but I was still having symptoms. I described the crash to him and he was like, “Dude you had a really bad crash, and this is considered less of a sports injury and more so considered a car crash.” So I wasn’t necessarily on an abnormal healing pattern, considering the impact. It was a bummer deal for sure, but I’m all good from it now and I’m looking forward. I’m definitely not looking back.

Mosiman in practice for the Salt Lake City 7 Supercross.
Mosiman in practice for the Salt Lake City 7 Supercross. Align Media

Well I’m glad you’re better. You mentioned concussion rehabilitation has come a long way. What are some of the newer methods?
It used to be, the old fashioned way, was to avoid looking at anything that was going to stimulate your brain, to sit in a dark room. There’s a story of after Mike Alessi got that concussion at Hangtown, when he was on KTMs, his dad put him in a dark room and fed him under the door. That was the protocol. The idea is, the brain is treated much like any other muscle and needs rest, just like anything else you injure. The thought was to stimulate it as little as possible. But the thing is, the brain doesn’t really stop, no matter what, even when you’re sleeping. What they do now, they treat it like you would a muscle in rehab. You do exercises that challenge it and can even cause more symptoms. But when the symptoms arise, you don’t just stay there. You go into them, and that’s okay. You’re challenging the muscle of the brain, and over time it strengthens and adapts to the load you’re giving it. But if you never challenge it your healing process may be a little slower.

So what did you do? Did you play a bunch of chess?
[Laughs] I did, actually. But it was more vestibular ocular exercises, like where you follow a pencil with your eyes without moving your head, or you’re moving your head and not moving your eyes. I learned how to juggle, which is something that’s good to do—you’re playing with a ball and working on your motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You take a hit, now you’re a little bit slower, and the brain is sending you some warning signals, some symptoms.

When did you get back on the bike?
I got back on the bike, I think it was that off-weekend of the nationals. I forget which round. I went up to WW Ranch [Motocross Park] with the crew and cruised around and got going again. I wanted to return for the last two nationals with Rockstar Husky, so that was what we were shooting for. Then, before WW, that Thursday, we did some sprints and I was riding really well. Zacho [Osborne] was killing it and I was hanging with him and we thought maybe I’d race that weekend. Then that night I got a call from Roger [De Coster] about the GasGas deal and they were really wanting me to be absolutely sure I was 100 percent, considering it was a significant concussion. So we just took the extra time. But I was ready for the last couple rounds.

Don’t Miss a Moto!

 

Sign up for our newsletter to get headlines, info, and scoops as soon as they break. As a bonus, you’ll be entered into our weekly giveaways too!

TGI Freeday - Newsletter Giveaway
By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy
Forms on this page are protected by reCAPTCHA, its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

So you’ve known about this GasGas thing for a while then.
It wasn’t that long. [Justin] Barcia’s deal had been worked on for so long. For me it was kind of like… I’d heard rumors that TK [Tyler Keefe] had been asking about me and I’d considered it. I saw the dilemma at Rockstar as well. They were going to have so many guys, it was going to be packed. It was going to be absolutely jam-packed, there was going to be like seven riders. You just don’t get the same attention when there’s that many people. I’m on a team now with three people and we have undivided attention. I thought about it and I thought I could probably make it happen if I wanted to. I was going to try to make it happen, then they called and said they wanted something to happen. It worked out really well.

How are things with Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Factory Racing?
I love it. I love all the guys. Barcia has been really fun to hang out with, he’s an absolute kook. He lives like he rides, he’s always on the rev limiter. He’s pretty fun to hang around. And TK is really methodical and thoughtful with his approach to racing. I think that suits me really well, it’s how I go about things. I love our suspension guy too. He’s super, super good. We’ve made a lot of progress, and overall things are awesome. The bike is super cool too, it’s faster. I really like the Akrapovic pipe. It’s a little bit lighter too. Between the pipe and sub frame, I think it’s a little bit lighter. Our motor rips, they improved it like three times. I’m stoked.

What are your goals for 2021?
I want to be a consistent podium guy, and there isn’t any reason why that isn’t attainable. I want to be a consistent podium guy, and if the championship is in the cards, we’ll go for it.

"Barcia has been really fun to hang out with, he’s an absolute kook. He lives like he rides, he’s always on the rev limiter." - Michael Mosiman Simon Cudby
  • Redux: Crazy 2020 Redux: Crazy 2020 3:45pm
  • 3 on 3: Our Top Moments of 2020 3 on 3: Our Top Moments of 2020 1:00pm
Presented by:
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Website
Read Now
June 2021 Issue Now Available
Get Racer X on your iPhone
Check out all the exclusive content this month on any device!
Read Now
The June 2021 Digital Issue Availalbe Now

Motocross & Supercross News - Racer X Online

122 Vista Del Rio Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 | 304-284-0084 | Contact Us
©1999 - 2021 Filter Publications LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
designed at: Website DesignImpulse Studios