Christian Craig to stand in for Justin Bogle at GEICO Honda.
Christian Craig has been selected by the GEICO Honda team to fill in for the injured Justin Bogle. Bogle suffered a shoulder injury at the opening round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown, and Craig will step in until Bogle is ready to return. Craig will make his debut in the 250 class at this week’s National at Thunder Valley in Colorado.
Craig has been a member of the GEICO Honda Team before, his last race at Washougal in the 450 class last year.
“I’m really excited to have this opportunity,” Craig said. “It sucks that Bogle is hurt, but it opens a door for me to ride with the best team in the sport for a second time. I’m really thankful to the three team owners and Mike LaRocco for thinking of me. I’m going to do everything in my power to pay them back with some top finishes.
“I’ve been working hard for a chance like this. I really want to go all-out one last time and make a go of it. I still have all the desire in the world, and I don’t want to look back in 10 years and wish I had tried harder.”
Although Craig hasn’t raced in a while, he has been staying sharp on the bike, often riding on his private track near his home in Minnesota and the Spring Creek track in Millville. He has since returned to Southern California to test with the team.
“I was riding a fairly stock 450 at home, so when I got out here and got on one of the GEICO Honda 250s, those things are so fast there’s really no difference between the two,” Craig said. “The GEICO 250 actually might be faster. Two laps around Perris (Raceway) and I felt totally comfortable on the bike.
“The last time I rode a 250 in competition was at Las Vegas at the end of 2013 Supercross, so it hasn’t been that long ago. I think I’ll be fine.”
As for reaching the fitness level required of top riders in the sport, Craig said his intensive workout regiment and the fact he has been injury-free for two years will help him quickly close the gap on his rivals.
“I’m in the best shape of my life, and I don’t know that I’ve ever been 100 percent healthy like I am right now,” Craig said. “That’s so huge because when you’re not battling injuries you can really push yourself to be better. I have a lot of confidence going into Denver, and we’ll find out pretty quick up there on the mountain how I stack up.
“I just want to help this team for as long as I can.”
