With the cross country race season a couple weeks away, I decided to do an MX race as a tune-up. I always have trouble getting going right at the start of my C.C. races. I figured MX would be good practice for sprinting hard right from the start.
I entered the 30+ novice class, and was racing simultaneously with the 38+ novice class. After a 4 lap practice, I felt OK, but I new the long loamy start was big trouble for my 200. Almost every rider had a big 4 stroke. Also, my gearing in the exc isn't perfect for this track. However, my bike is lighter and less tireing to ride.
Moto 1: I lined up second from the outside so I could stay on the gas a little longer and pass on the outside. The gate dropped and I bogged down in the loam about 50' out of the gate. The first turn is a flat track style RIGHT hander. I entered the turn about 10th and came out about 7th. Right away I was having trouble building momentum for some of the jumps. I was still able to pass a couple of guys on the first couple of laps by carrying my momentun deep into the turns. I worked into 3rd after the 3rd of 6 laps. It took me a lap and a half to get into 2nd. I caught up to the 1st place rider, but wasn't able to pass. 2nd overall and 1st in class for moto 1.
Moto 2: An even worse start, outside the top 10. I felt good and passed up to 5th by lap 2. By lap 3, I was in third, when the race was red flagged do to a bad crash. We had to do a restart with only a 4 lap sprint. I got a better start, but still not good. I had to ride more aggressively right away. I went from 7th to 4th on lap 2. On lap 3 I passed the guy who won the 1st moto and took over third. The next guy ahead had taken 3rd the first moto, so I needed to catch him, but he had a decent lead on me. The temp. outside was mid 90's and we were getting tired. On lap 4 I made up a lot of ground and passed into 2nd with 1/2 a lap to go. Again, I ended up 2nd overall, but this time, 2nd in class also.
I ended up winning my class with a1-2 moto score and the overall with a 2-2.
I was sad to see a couple riders get injured. I made some new friends and had a really good time though.
I gained a lot of respect for MXers. I ride trails mostly, and there is a big difference in the styles. I may do another next weeked as a final warm up for the cross country races.
I entered the 30+ novice class, and was racing simultaneously with the 38+ novice class. After a 4 lap practice, I felt OK, but I new the long loamy start was big trouble for my 200. Almost every rider had a big 4 stroke. Also, my gearing in the exc isn't perfect for this track. However, my bike is lighter and less tireing to ride.
Moto 1: I lined up second from the outside so I could stay on the gas a little longer and pass on the outside. The gate dropped and I bogged down in the loam about 50' out of the gate. The first turn is a flat track style RIGHT hander. I entered the turn about 10th and came out about 7th. Right away I was having trouble building momentum for some of the jumps. I was still able to pass a couple of guys on the first couple of laps by carrying my momentun deep into the turns. I worked into 3rd after the 3rd of 6 laps. It took me a lap and a half to get into 2nd. I caught up to the 1st place rider, but wasn't able to pass. 2nd overall and 1st in class for moto 1.
Moto 2: An even worse start, outside the top 10. I felt good and passed up to 5th by lap 2. By lap 3, I was in third, when the race was red flagged do to a bad crash. We had to do a restart with only a 4 lap sprint. I got a better start, but still not good. I had to ride more aggressively right away. I went from 7th to 4th on lap 2. On lap 3 I passed the guy who won the 1st moto and took over third. The next guy ahead had taken 3rd the first moto, so I needed to catch him, but he had a decent lead on me. The temp. outside was mid 90's and we were getting tired. On lap 4 I made up a lot of ground and passed into 2nd with 1/2 a lap to go. Again, I ended up 2nd overall, but this time, 2nd in class also.
I ended up winning my class with a1-2 moto score and the overall with a 2-2.
I was sad to see a couple riders get injured. I made some new friends and had a really good time though.
I gained a lot of respect for MXers. I ride trails mostly, and there is a big difference in the styles. I may do another next weeked as a final warm up for the cross country races.
