Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts missed tests at Road Atlanta and Barber Motorsports Park this week due to an injury sustained in a training accident, but the two-time AMA Formula Xtreme Champion says he’ll be fine for the upcoming races at Infineon Raceway, formerly known as Sears Point Raceway, May 2-4.

“I think we’ll be alright for Sears,” Roberts said Friday. “I just highsided on my flat track/TT bike (basically a stock Honda CRF150).

“It just broke loose a little earlier than I was planning on it and flicked me on my head. I had just passed a friend of mine. I went to look back to see if he was right behind me, because I figured he would hit me. When I looked back, that’s when it caught.

“It was the hardest crash I’ve had since California Speedway last year. It was surprising. I’ve ridden a lot since January and only fallen off like five times, but those five have been big ones.”

Roberts said he sought an evaluation of his shoulder by Dr. Arthur Ting, who said Roberts suffered a minor shoulder separation. But the injury has improved greatly in recent days.

“It’s getting a lot better,” said Roberts. “I feel pretty good about it. Two days ago, I was like, ‘Man, this is going to be a pain in the ass.’ But now I may even try to get on a bike this weekend.”

Roberts finished third in the Daytona 200 and currently is sixth in the AMA Superbike point standings, 20 points behind series leader Mat Mladin after three of 18 races.