Back to Cotswolds Club Championship 2 day meeting at Rushwick.
I`d not been feeling well leading up to this meeting and although I love the track and was keen to be racing against my mates, I was feeling down on energy.
Saturday – Practice went well and I qualified fastest, as the track had been heavily watered, but the 125/250 Seniors were the third class from last out, which gave the track chance to dry out & for lines to form. I`d chosen to ride my 125, to try and keep myself sharp and give the 250f a rest.
Race 1 – I had eighth gate pick, so my position wasn`t too bad, but my frequent bad starts had continued and I was last but one to the first corner, against the majority of riders on 250`s. I did however push through and by the end of the first lap, I had moved up to about 6th position, but on a track like Rushwick it`s hard going, due to it being very one line and difficult to pass on. Eventually I finally finished in 3rd spot and getting the fastest lap time, but was not in good shape, vomiting and feeling low on energy. Eventually, I managed to rest, eat a few light snacks and get hydrated.
Race 2 – A slightly better start, but still not a great one and I moved through the pack to again, come home in 3rd place.
Race 3 – Still not feeling right, I went out for the last race of the day & used someone`s start blocks and got to the first corner in about third place, I battled for second place, but my energy levels were low and struggled to maintain a quicker pace on the 125, against the 250`s and eventually being overtaken on the last lap, meaning I finished 4th and being annoyed with myself for not holding off the rider passing me.
We had already decided to return home for Saturday night, as this is my local track and eat well get a good night`s sleep.
Sunday – I felt slightly better, after sleeping well and getting fuelled with Porridge Oats and Honey for breakfast and also hydrating well for the days racing.
I also made the decision to switch back to the 250f, as the 125 was struggling to pull my 6`4″ frame against some of the lighter lads on 250`s.
This was the correct decision, as I immediately adapted back to the bike well and qualified 2nd fastest, to Jake Davies, who had decided to race for the day, rather than his usual EMX125 events at the MXGP rounds, due to his GCSE exam commitments.
Race 1 – I gated better and was duelling with all of the first 3 candidates and because of Jake`s win, I finished in 4th spot.
Race 2 – I was told by the CYMX Chairman, after the race, that this was the best race of the weekend to watch, I got a great start and was battling with Brody Davies, Jake Davies and Sol Levey for most of the race, with the lead changing frequently and you could quite honestly have thrown a blanket over all four of us, it was that close. Jake caught Brody`s wheel over the far end of the track and he did some soil sampling, with the three of us breaking away and continuing to battle until the flag with me coming home again in third place.
Race 3 – This was my best start and race of the weekend, as I second into the first corner and took the lead on the first lap, pulling a decent gap between Brody and Sol, but Jake Davies and me, battled for most of the race, with me being faster on the uphill sections and first half of the course and I brought it home for the win.
This meant I got 3rd overall for the weekend, even with me not feeling at my best, but I`m now looking forward to Round 2 of the NORA Cup at Culham, next weekend.
Thanks to Jesse James and Rafe Symons for the pep talk before the final race, as it did the trick and also to the NORA CRS Development Team and associate sponors and finally our personal supporters James E Smith Timber Products, Factory Motocross Graphics and Mission MX.
