"This season sucks so far." Those are words we never thought Travis Pastrana would ever say. But the truth can't be ignored, even by Travis. The SoBe Suzuki rider can usually take a bad situation and make it seem great but 2002 has been so far from great that even Travis thinks it sucks so far.

Pastrana, just healed from his nasal and throat surgeries, suffered yet another set back when he broke his wrist at round two of the AMA National Motocross series. With six weeks of healing ahead, Travis is hoping to make the X Games his gold star in an otherwise dreary season. From his home in Maryland he still has his 100% positive demeanor and that's where we caught up with him.

EXPN: What happened at Hangtown?

Travis Pastrana: Hangtown was just kind of a nightmare all around. I was hoping for cool weather and rain, but the rain didn't come soon enough.

EXPN: You were running well that first moto but it ended with a broken wrist.

Travis gets help off the track after a trip over the bars.

TP: I was sucking roost from Tortelli and one lap I got into a bad position through some jumps; the bike started swapping and I got chucked over the bars. I really wasn't running too good anyway. I need to get back into shape.

EXPN: And looking at it on TV, it didn't seem like that big of a crash, especially comparing it to some of your other get-offs.

TP: No, it was a little crash. I was kind of bummed when I saw it on TV. If you're going to get hurt, you may as well go off big.

EXPN: Will there be an operation on the wrist? What's the damage?

TP: We had a MRI done on the wrist and everything looks good. I don't need an operation and I should be good in about six weeks. It's a clean fracture, a vertical break. Usually the problem with the navicular bone is having a horizontal break which doesn't get the blood to the wrist.

EXPN: What do we do now? Rest up?

TP: Actually, the good thing is that I can do everything; bike, run, weights, I can do pretty much everything but race. Hopefully I can get in better physical shape than I was for when I do come back.

EXPN: Is Red Bud a possible comeback?

TP: No, I think more like Unadilla.

EXPN: What about the X Games?

TP: I figure that will be the only thing I can salvage out of the year. It should work out pretty well. Obviously racing comes first but being out of the championship this year really helps my decision for the X Games.

EXPN: In one sentence, give me your perspective on the season.

TP: In one sentence? This season sucks so far. There's always that possibility that it can get better, right?

But seriously, I'm kind of disappointed. I knew this year was going to be a learning year, but I didn't know there was going to be this much learning.

EXPN: What have you learned?

TP: I've learned how to train a little better, and even over train. I don't know, hopefully I'm not making the same stupid mistakes over and over again but I've realized that if I'm in shape and if I can run the pace, I'll be fine. But I can't play catch-up if I'm not in shape.

EXPN: Brief us on Shawn Hamblin picking up the Suzuki Factory ride to replace you and Kevin Windham. How big of a break is that for someone like him?

TP: Hamblin is a great rider. It's a funny story. He didn't even know if he was going to go to the first round. He was testing since Kevin and I were recuperating so he was getting our bikes ready for the season. Then he actually went out to Glen Helen and Hangtown and put in better rides than any other Suzuki rider and he got his first big break. As soon as he gets into shape, I think he will be in the top five every week.

EXPN: Back to you and freestyle. You have some new tricks up your sleeve?

TP: Of course

EXPN: That was a dumb question wasn't it?

TP: (Laughter)

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