DR: If you aren't recovered in time how does this affect your plans for next year?
ML: Regardless of what happens, win or lose, this is the end of a three year deal (with KTM), so I'm planning on signing up for another two, at least, if not three, and for that I'm not going to sign up for the national enduros just to ride them. I think I can still win them for the next few years. Regardless, win or lose, I'm racing for sure next year. It'll be two years at least, maybe three, with an option to get out whenever I want.
DR: Since this injury have you spoken with Dick Burelson (tied with Lafferty with 8 National Enduro titles, now retired)?
ML: Actually Sunday at the race I talked to him on the phone a little bit.
DR: Was it smack talk? Can you give us an idea what you talked about?
ML: He's extremely cool with me and I with him. I look up to that guy big time and he's said it plain and simple, I've said it myself - you deal with it. It happened, there's no sense in dwelling on it, it is what it is and you make the best of it. We both know the situation. He's been in it and I've been in it. When I broke my hand in March he hooked me up with a doctor to go see, Dr. Augustine out of Florida. Dick knows what's going on, he knows there's a chance of me not being able to come back. He more looks out for me being healthy and being okay more than coming back and winning. I'm sure he's bummed for me, he wants me to do well. We're still friends besides championships and wins. We were before and we will be after.
DR: Got any messages you want to give to your fans?
ML: I have gotten a lot of calls and a lot of e-mails. That first week I was shying off a little because I wanted to really concentrate on getting myself in the right frame of mind. I appreciate everyone, they're paying attention and that really has made me realize how many people are out there rooting for me and I do appreciate all that. Now it's time for me to start getting back, getting in contact with people, but also keep working on getting myself better.
DR: Do you have any message for your competition?
ML: It's not that I'm sending out a message, everyone knows that I'm trying to come back stronger and better and I want to come back where I left off. They all know that and I look forward to racing. Not only to winning but for the competition aspect of it. Whoever it is, the new guys, I'm pumped that Cole (Kirkpatrick) stepped up and won and I think he's gonna be someone in the future that's able to win races so as far as me coming back, everyone knows I've always been in the sport for the competition so hopefully I can just get back and still be in contention with everybody.