After his huge season-ending crash at the ASA World Championships of FMX in Pomona, Calif. in September, Levi Sherwood has all but fallen off the radar as far as the US scene goes. There's a good reason for that -- he's been recovering from his broken femur and wrist back in his hometown of Palmerston North, New Zealand. It's a world away from the So Cal scene, where riders are constantly under the microscope and everyone knows their every move. New Zealand is the perfect haven and has provided Sherwood some much needed downtime and the chance to hang with his family, friends, eat his favorite foods and generally escape the professional FMX pressure-cooker. We managed to hunt down the laid-back teenager and found out exactly what he's been up to, and when he's planning his big return.
Red BullLevi Sherwood catches a cab at the first round of the 2010 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour in Mexico City, Mexico. Levi, you busted yourself up at the ASA World Championships of FMX. What happened?
The course had a 75-foot double into an 85-foot double and I pulled a stripper flip on the first jump, then on the way back through my toes just nipped the gear-shifter and tapped the bike into neutral. It was mid-run, and because of the momentum I was kinda 50/50 as to whether it was in neutral and decided to give it a go anyway. I had no drive off the ramp and landed on the flat halfway between the ramp and landing. I didn't think it was going to be too bad, but as soon as I hit the ground I knew I'd broken my wrist and femur, and it was game over; it's the worst stack I've ever had.
You finished the Red Bull X-Fighters series in fourth overall in 2010. Who's going to be the one to watch out for in 2011?
Nate Adams. He's won it the last two years and he's always on point. I've also realized this sport is a "name-game". I watched the final round in Rome from the couch and even I found myself being biased towards the bigger-named riders. In FMX contests I think your actual riding only accounts for 50 percent of your result. If you're flavor of the month you'll get another 25 percent, and if you're a big-name rider, you'll get another 25 percent. Unless your name is Travis Pastrana; then it's probably 75 percent about the name and 25 percent about doing backflips over berms.
What have you been up do since returning home?
There's been a lot of catching with friends and family, hanging at the beach, mucking around on my 50 and a fair bit of Playstation action. I also watched all 18 episodes of "Outrageous Fortune" in a week, which was pretty mad. The leg is coming along well too. I don't have a limp any more and I'm starting to build the muscle up again. The screws in my hip bother me a bit, but I'm going to get those out as soon as I can.
ESPN Action SportsSherwood with a huge Hart Attack at X Games 16.Nice one, bro. We hear you've been looking at some land in New Zealand?
Yeah I'm looking around. There was one place I was keen on but they wanted a bit much for it, and the longer I wait the more likely I'll get what I'm after. I'm looking for land with maximum hills so I don't get bored riding there after a couple of weeks, and it's got to be away from houses so I don't run into any trouble with noise, dust and all that sort of bullshit.
Good luck with that. In all your travels, what's been your biggest rock star moment?
I'd had to say my first X-Fighters in Mexico last year. I was carried around on the shoulders of all these Mexicans and was treated like a god. They'd all yell "Champion! Champion!" because that's all they could say. I honestly didn't know what to do with myself. I couldn't drink the champagne because I was too young, but I threw pretty much every item of riding gear up into the crowd. It was amazing.
Does the Kiwi accent go down well with the ladies on the Red Bull X-Fighters tour?
Yeah, they like it, but I don't have the game to back it up unfortunately. I think girls just like freestyle riders in general. Everyone else seems to pick up heaps of girls, but I struggle.
I don't believe that for a second, but whatever. What are your plans/goals for next year?
I want to finish the X-Fighters series without getting hurt and have a decent shot at the title, and I want to do better at X Games and beat Travis. Actually, speaking of Travis, I'm going to ride the New Zealand leg of the Nitro Circus Live Tour at the beginning of next year. I'm looking forward to catching up with all my old show mates and to having a good time with no stress. It's going to be mint riding in front of my home country, but I'm going to need to find 300 free tickets at every round, as all my mates are hitting me up already!
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