Francisco “Coco” Zurita has been turning a lot of heads in BMX vert competitions this year. After consistently making finals and pulling a perfect triple tailwhip, the first ever on vert, at the Ohio Dew Tour, it was obvious Coco was one of the most dialed guys on the ramp. Unfortunately, Coco went down hard on a triple tailwhip at the X-Games resulting in a broken ankle. Vital BMX recently got a chance to catch up with Coco and see how he’s been holding up.
You crashed pretty hard at the X Games, what exactly happened?
Well, I guess the main problem was that the quarter I was dropping in on was at a diagonal angle, so it was hard to get set up for the first wall. It would make you feel a little lost and it was hard to judge how much of a 180 I would need; I guess I needed more! I’m pretty sure a couple of set up airs would have helped so much.
How many triple whips on vert have you pulled?
On a real vert ramp I’ve only done the one at the Cleveland Dew Tour, but I do them on the resi all the time.
How long are you going to be off of your bike for?
The doctor aid I’d be out for about two months.
What is your rehabilitation going to consist of?
Just a bunch of exercises; start really mellow, and with time try to get harder on the ankle. Step by step, a lot of stretching and flexibility exercises.
What (if any) contests is this going to cause you to miss?
It’s too bad, but there isn’t anything I can do about it. I’m going to miss one action sports tour, one LG contest, and the Latin American X-Games. I guess that’s enough, hahaha. I should be fine, I’m not worried about it.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Keep riding hard; don’t take the fun away from bike riding. Enjoy it and god bless!
| Coco Zurita blasts an air at the Soul Bowl, just one week before his injury. |
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