Great Expectations!
Published: 19th January 2007
Author: Words by Stephen Sword Photo by Bert Gobbler
After a rather rotten 2006, Swordy's all set for a super-sweet season in 2007
I would like to start the off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year - I hope '07 brings you success, health and happiness. I guess 2006 wasn't the best of years for me so I'm glad to see the back of that and move into '07 with good health and great expectations.
My ankle is getting much stronger now, I'm training every day in and out of the gym so my fitness is beginning to get to a high level. Before getting back on a bike I want to make sure I have good physical condition - I think that will be the key for me and will help me get back stronger for the start of the season.
In two weeks time I start riding and testing with the new team. I'm very much looking forward to the new set-up this year, they have been working really hard over the winter on the bikes and the organisation is very professional. The team has a very good structure which I like and are headed in a good direction for the future.
Normally in January I go to America for three weeks training but this year is an exception. I want to use the time I have here to make sure I don't waste any days - I need to focus and use the time to work hard and will do with the help of Dave Thorpe.
Christmas was filled up seeing lots of friends and family. Once we got the dogs settled with our neighbour we headed off to see Jodie's family on Christmas Eve. We had the usual big Christmas dinner followed by games and lots of drink for Jodie. Boxing Day we drove up to Scotland to spend some time with my family.
We had a nice time just relaxing and visiting people - you know the sort of stuff that goes on at Christmas. After a quiet few days there we headed back to see the New Year in at home - again Jodie consumed lots of booze. I don't blame her though, all those months spent looking after and running around after me while I was injured is enough to drive anyone mad. I think she was also pleased to see the back of '06.
I'd like to take the opportunity now to thank everyone again for all their help and support. It's easy for people to be nice when you're winning but when you have an injury you find out who your real friends are and discover the people who are behind you 100 per cent. Thanks guys!
I popped back to Marshfield to say hi to some of my friends - the first being newly-weds Mark and Emma Hucklebridge. Huck was giving me plenty because I missed the wedding last year because I was having an operation. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to it and it would have been the one day I'd have got a free meal out of Huck. Don't worry Huck I won't forget that one.
We also popped in to the Church family home. Paula was on hand with her lovely tea and cakes and Tom was filling me in on the testing he's already done while Mike - like me - is just pumped on the new season getting under way.
I haven't really being up to much else apart from training most days. Most weekends I get together with some mates and we watch some football. Thursday night is golf night! Jodie plays netball and I pop down to the driving range to whack a couple of baskets of balls with my neighbour.
One thing which will be cool and I can't wait for him to do it at the end of the day's racing is when Sean - the DBR editor - comes round with his little recorder to ask how the day went. Good or bad I'll just be so pleased to speak to him to let him know how things went.
I'm going to sign off now. You may notice I've put #4 next to my name - that's my new number for '07. It's always been lucky for me in the past so let's hope it stays that way.