Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Roger Hayden Update Interview During the second round of the AMA Superbike Championship at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Roger Hayden was involved in a crash that has taken him off the circuit. Two and a half weeks later, Hayden took some time to give an update on his condition and thoughts on his return. Q: How’s it going? Want to give a little update on your injuries? Roger Hayden: Well, I’m doing a lot better. I can get in and out of bed by myself now. I can walk a little bit, things like that. I don’t have to be in bed all day long. I am able to sit in a chair. I’ve made a lot a progress in one week, since I couldn’t even get out of bed last week without someone helping me. Q: And how’s your hand? How’s that healing up? R.H.: Its better. I go in on Monday to have them uncover the bandage where they amputated my pinky. Also my ring finger where you would actually wear the ring got grounded down pretty bad too, so they are going to made sure that’s healing up alright. So it’s just a lot of little things I’m dealing with. Q: Overall you seem like you’re healing up pretty well. R.H.: Yeah. Everyday it slowly gets better. It’s going to be awhile. My back and my pelvis are the injuries bothering me the most now. It’s been pretty painful in my back, but I know it just takes time. Other than that, I’ve just been bored to death. I’m trying to take it easy so I can get better as soon as I can, but it’s really tough. I’m such an active person. Q: So what have you been doing to pass the time? R.H.: Well, we play Wii all the time. Olivia, (Tommy’s step daughter) has been playing with me. We play tennis, golf, baseball and bowling. Everyone has been great especially Sara (Roger’s girlfriend) and my mom. Q: Have you talked about when you might start therapy? R.H.: I’m not sure when I can start therapy. I have to see what’s going on with my recovery, especially after I go see the doctor on Monday. For now, I have started walking but I still need to use a walker if I go a long distance. The doctor said toward the end of the week I could start walking up a few steps to start getting my strength back. Nothing too crazy, but its progress. I have to wear a back brace for two months. With the progress I’m making it might be less but that’s what they said. Q: Has anyone talked to you about coming back for the MotoGP round in Monterey? R.H.: I want to come back for that. That’s definitely my dream and it’s obviously disappointing to have this happen when I had some stuff lined up this year. If I’m not healthy, then I can’t ride. I don’t want to show up to Laguna cold turkey. I wouldn’t want to do that in the MotoGP or AMA. So I hope I can get back before then and get to ride some because I would hate to have my first time back on a bike be at a race. Q: Are you going to be attending any races as a spectator? R.H.: I’ll probably hang out at home. The last thing I want to do with the back injury is get on a plane. I would really love to be there. I miss it a lot. Q: Have you gotten any fan mail? R.H.: Yeah, you know I got a lot more than I expected. There were a lot of people emailing or calling that I hadn’t talked to in a long time. I’ve gotten things in the mail from fans, which was a good surprise. The support has been really awesome. Q: We all hope to see you back soon! R.H.: Thanks!