Netraphotos.com by Art Pepin |
Race: Round 1: Sandy Lane Enduro
Bike: 09 KTM 200
Result: 1st A-200
Sponsors: I would like to thank Stickman
Graphx, Unabiker.com, EKS Brand Goggles, Kriega USA, Rekluse, All Balls Racing,
Fly Racing, Mika Metals, DT-1 Filters, Works Enduro Rider, FMF Racing, Vertex
Pistons, Powerseal USA, Matto Cycle, Offroadviking.com, Clockwork KTM, Torc 1
Racing, Motorex, G2 Ergonomics, my family, Netraphotos.com, and my Dad.
Report:
After starting the season off poorly
in previous years, I was determined to change that for 2013. Over the winter, I made sure I had everything
prepared for the season. I took the
opportunity to race the first two NEPG races which were great practice for the
opening round of the ECEA Enduro Series.
Needless to say, I felt ready for the first enduro this past
weekend. Unfortunately, it was extremely
cold but I was excited to ride.
The first section of the day was the
tightest but somehow I escaped arm pump.
I made a few mistakes along with a superman dive after bouncing off a
couple trees. I scared myself at the end
of the section when my clutch started to slip (got a little too hot). I was able to drop a 5 which was what Jeff
Melik and Ben Smith dropped as well. My
goal this season is to drop scores similar to AA riders so I was happy with the
result. I certainly had it in me to ride better though.
For the next couple of sections, I
struggled to ride mistake-free but I was riding fast. At the Georgia NEPG, I didn’t crash a single
time but my speed wasn’t there. I was
glad to have the speed but frustrated with the mistakes. If I can eliminate mistakes
and keep the speed, I know I can be in that top ten overall group. I continually stayed fueled throughout the
day with Hammer Nutrition gels and stayed warm thanks to the Melik family.
In the last two sections of the day,
the trail opened up a bit more and I was able to find a groove. With the help of Ben Smith as the leader on
my row, I was able to keep my intensity up.
I stayed with him for close to 2 miles but he eventually pulled
away. It is my goal to try to latch onto
AA riders for as long as possible. At
the end of the day, I was able to finish 1st in A-200 which is a lot
better start than last year. I will
carry this momentum into the Curly Fern enduro next weekend! Thanks to everyone
for their continued support.
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