EMMA Milesevic epitomises what it means to persevere in the face of adversity. Since sustaining a back injury well-over six months ago, an injury which threatened to end her promising racing career, the 18-year-old is now back on the bike and gearing-up for her first competition in Warrnambool on February 28.
“My recovery has been going really well,” Emma said. “I’ve just been going to the gym to get some strength back in my back. It’s been six months now and my recovery has gone a lot quicker than I thought it would have. I think that because I was fairly fit before I got injured it helped in the recovery process a lot,” Emma added.
“I’ve just been working on my fitness and strength and making sure the muscles around the back are back up to scratch,” she said.
Emma, from Lal Lal, will be competing in the opening round of the 2016 Barry Francis Western Region Motocross Series starting in Warrnambool on February 28. “I haven’t been on the bike for very long. I only got my new bike a week-and-a-half ago, but so far it’s been going really well,” Emma continued.
“I’m so happy to be back on the bike. I didn’t know what to do with myself for quite a while, and luckily I was able to start going to the gym earlier than I thought, so even though I wasn’t riding I had something to do, which I enjoyed,” she added.
Emma has an extremely busy year ahead as she plans on competing in every round of the 2016 Barry Francis Western Region Motocross Series, the 2016 Victorian Senior Motocross Championships which starts in Newborough in March, and the 2016 Australian Women’s Motocross Championships in Coolum, Queensland on August 27-28.
Emma would also like to compete in some selected rounds of the 2016 MX Nationals in the Under 19s class against the boys.
On her goals this year, Emma said: “My goals are always the same every year. I just want to try and compete at my best and to be the best in all that I do. I also want to excel in my riding and try and better myself as a rider in general. Aiming for the top step of the podium is always the goal.”
Emma would like to thank everyone who has helped her in her recovery including Thor, Spy, Gas Imports, Yamaha Motors Australia, Flight-path Materials, SK Designs, Full-Force Racing Components, Ride Park Victoria, Michelin, GYTR, and Yamalube.
“All their support during my recovery has been amazing and I can’t thank them enough. I’d also really like to thank my parents too for everything they’ve done for me and for continuing to support me,” Emma said.
“I’m really looking forward to racing again,” Emma added. You can follow Emma’s progress throughout the year via her official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Emma-Milesevic-462642977110807/.