After not finishing the first two rounds of the British Cup due to bike problems, I was really looking forward to getting some solid motos under my belt.
Qualifying – P23 The track was fresh and sandy, and I managed to put in some good laps. I was happy to qualify 23rd, giving me a decent gate pick for the weekend.
Race 1 – P26 The first corner was hectic with everyone fighting for position. I was making my way through the pack but tried an outside pass that didn’t pay off, dropping me back to 31st. Frustrated with my mistake, I kept my head down and fought back to finish 26th.
Race 2 I had an awful start, and by this point the track had become really rough, choppy and full of bumps. I was pushing hard but made another mistake and went down. When I got back to the bike, I couldn’t get it fired up for what felt like forever, leaving me with too much ground to make up.
Race 3 – P18 After two disappointing races on Saturday, I was determined to turn things around on Sunday. I got a decent start and, although the track was rough and deep which made passing difficult, l kept pushing and came home in a respectable 18th.
Race 4 – P27 After Race 3 I felt confident I could break into the top 15.1 was excited for the final moto, but after a sweeping corner I realised I couldn’t change gear. I thought the bike had broken until I looked down and saw a rock wedged between the gear lever and the frame! I spent lap after lap trying to kick it free while riding, stuck in fourth gear, until it finally dropped out. Unfortunately, by then I’d lost too much time. The Good: I completed my first full round of the British Cup after the disappointments of the opening two rounds.
I enjoyed racing at Sherwood MX. Lots of positives to build on heading into the final round at Gossington MX.
The Bad: Mistakes cost me throughout the weekend… and seriously, who manages to get a rock wedged in their gear lever?! Thanks to everyone who supports me. Time to keep working hard and get ready for the final round. Despite the setbacks, completing the full weekend is a positive step forward, and there are plenty of encouraging signs to take into the final round.
