Column - Swordy - Bitter Sweet!
By TMX Archives on 16th May 06
Swordy gets docked a minute for noise in Portugal but at least there's some good news back in Britain
Yet again it's been another busy month with more than my fair share of ups and downs. It kicked off with round two of the British championship at Canada Heights. I had a big, big crash during the week at the Tonymoto practice track and hurt my back, neck and shoulder so I stayed at home the night before figuring I might sleep better in my own bed.
As it turned out it was a good move! The Canada Heights track was in great condition and I was loving the new sections they added. The day went perfect for me - it felt really good to win again in England and I had so much fun on the big bike. Definitely a turning point for me as I felt at the previous races I wasn't riding my best.
The next week was the GP of Spain at Bellpuig where things didn't go to plan at all. Saturday went okay and I qualified 11th but in Sunday morning's warm-up I tweaked my back going up one of the hills - the pain was sharp and took my breath away, different from anything I've experienced before. I got treated immediately and had two injections and painkillers before the race but I could only manage half a moto before I was in agony. I was gutted to leave Spain with no points.
In the week leading up to Portugal I had treatment on my back every day and it was much better by the time it came to line up at the gate. The GP was a bitter-sweet event for me - I was happy with sixth overall but failed a noise test at the end of the second moto and got docked a minute which dumped me back down the order. Still, being positive, at least my back didn't give me any trouble.
After Portugal Jodie and me flew back to England on the Monday but I was only home for a day before I had to fly out to Holland for testing and training to prepare for Matchams. Tuesday is my rest day and Jodie gets to choose what we do so before I flew out we ended up going shopping, shopping and a little bit more shopping - there goes my bonus before I've even earned it! Instead of buying myself a flashy TV, a nice new pair of shoes or a pair of Diesel jeans I got a new lawnmower. The old one packed up and the grass was getting so long it looked more like a jungle than a lawn.
The next morning I was on a plane to Holland where my mechanic Luka picked me up from Eindhoven Airport. We tested some new bits on the bike and I worked on my riding technique and a few little things I feel I need to improve on. I flew back on Friday to get ready for Matchams and on Saturday afternoon I picked up my brother and dad from Southampton Airport. Then it was straight home to get ready for an early start on Sunday morning.
Things went well at Matchams and I had two strong rides behind Ken De Dycker - I knew he would be strong there as he's riding good at the moment but I thought I had a chance to beat him. Saying that, the championship is still close and there are five rounds to go so anything can happen.
Jodie's family came to watch me for the first time and it was great to have them all there supporting me - I think they all had sore throats on Monday morning from shouting so much.
This week I'm off to Germany for the GP, setting off on Thursday in the camper. I've just got back from the Post Office where I taxed it for another year - £175! I thought that was a bit steep but, then again, I am Scottish.
Well guys, it's been a pleasure talking to you again and if you want to catch up on my latest news you can check out my website at www.swordymx.com
See ya!
As it turned out it was a good move! The Canada Heights track was in great condition and I was loving the new sections they added. The day went perfect for me - it felt really good to win again in England and I had so much fun on the big bike. Definitely a turning point for me as I felt at the previous races I wasn't riding my best.
The next week was the GP of Spain at Bellpuig where things didn't go to plan at all. Saturday went okay and I qualified 11th but in Sunday morning's warm-up I tweaked my back going up one of the hills - the pain was sharp and took my breath away, different from anything I've experienced before. I got treated immediately and had two injections and painkillers before the race but I could only manage half a moto before I was in agony. I was gutted to leave Spain with no points.
In the week leading up to Portugal I had treatment on my back every day and it was much better by the time it came to line up at the gate. The GP was a bitter-sweet event for me - I was happy with sixth overall but failed a noise test at the end of the second moto and got docked a minute which dumped me back down the order. Still, being positive, at least my back didn't give me any trouble.
After Portugal Jodie and me flew back to England on the Monday but I was only home for a day before I had to fly out to Holland for testing and training to prepare for Matchams. Tuesday is my rest day and Jodie gets to choose what we do so before I flew out we ended up going shopping, shopping and a little bit more shopping - there goes my bonus before I've even earned it! Instead of buying myself a flashy TV, a nice new pair of shoes or a pair of Diesel jeans I got a new lawnmower. The old one packed up and the grass was getting so long it looked more like a jungle than a lawn.
The next morning I was on a plane to Holland where my mechanic Luka picked me up from Eindhoven Airport. We tested some new bits on the bike and I worked on my riding technique and a few little things I feel I need to improve on. I flew back on Friday to get ready for Matchams and on Saturday afternoon I picked up my brother and dad from Southampton Airport. Then it was straight home to get ready for an early start on Sunday morning.
Things went well at Matchams and I had two strong rides behind Ken De Dycker - I knew he would be strong there as he's riding good at the moment but I thought I had a chance to beat him. Saying that, the championship is still close and there are five rounds to go so anything can happen.
Jodie's family came to watch me for the first time and it was great to have them all there supporting me - I think they all had sore throats on Monday morning from shouting so much.
This week I'm off to Germany for the GP, setting off on Thursday in the camper. I've just got back from the Post Office where I taxed it for another year - £175! I thought that was a bit steep but, then again, I am Scottish.
Well guys, it's been a pleasure talking to you again and if you want to catch up on my latest news you can check out my website at www.swordymx.com
See ya!