Dialogue: Kurt Caselli

Much of the latest talk recently is the speculation of Kurt Casell's next move. He's on the recovery-end of a shoulder injury he obtained at the Sageriders National Hare & Hound, but is pushing forward and will be lining up along Mike Brown, Kendall Norman, Dave Pearson and the other Baja 500 players this weekend. Scroll down to read more about Caselli's mid-season status...

Let's jump to the latest topic, what's going on with your shoulder injury?
Things have been going great since my diagnosis. My trainer Troy McIntosh has been helping me with therapy every day; morning and afternoon. It's already my 4th week and I feel like I'm ready to ride again! As far as my shoulder goes its not 100%, but I'm definitely okay to go racing.

Despite all the rumors, will you be racing the Baja 500?
Yes, I will be starting the 500 since I am rider of record. With KTM's Factory backing, were still looking to get the 1x. They made the decision to put everyone under my name since Ivan and I won the first round. I will be apart of the team even though I will just be doing the start and handing off the bike to Ivan and Marc. We've got two great teams put together, even unfortunately with Quinn being out. The goal is just to get one of the KTM's up front, but also try to gain more points for the ultimate 1x at the end of the year.

If an emergency rider is needed, will you be that guy?
Yes I will.

What will you be doing in your break between Baja and the next National?
As of now, I've decided to get an orthoscopic knee surgery to clean up my Meniscus that has been bugging me for the last few months. It's the same knee I've had previous surgeries on, and I feel it's a good time to clean it up and get back to racing after the break with a knee that's close to 100%, and a shoulder that is 100%

With the National Hare & Hound Championship at stake, do you have any backup plans?
Not as far as the Nationals, but it's looking questionable whether I can get the championship at this point. I also have the ISDE in Germany at the end of September to look forward too! I also am going to focus on being 100% ready for the Baja 1000 and the new beginning of the 2013 racing season.

Can you confirm any ISDE riders?
We've got a lot of Factory backing from FMF/KTM and Monster Energy Kawasaki. It will be decided in the next month between myself, Destry, Antti Kallonen and the Kawasaki Team Manager Jason Smigel.

There's talk of you considering going back to race WORCS next year, any truth?
As far as I know there is no truth of me returning to WORCS racing. That would be a decision made between my boss (with KTM North America) and myself later in the year. My schedule has been really exciting and I've been busy enough with the National Hare & Hound and Baja races to stay happy and motivated.

Anyone you would like to thank?
FMF/KTM, all of my sponsors, my mechanic Anthony, and my friends and family.