Eccles battles Red Bull
By TMX Archives on 27th Sep 13
Fifteen-year-old Jordan Eccles this weekend won his first Red Bull Youth Elite Title in the 85cc Big-wheel category. The series is considered to be the premier youth series in the UK and is contested over seven rounds up and down the country. Each round consists of five motos lasting 15 mins plus a lap. To win a championship takes consistency, speed, fitness, concentration, good machinery and a little luck.
Jordan started the season not the way he had hoped. In 2012 Jordan suffered a knee injury which needed to be operated on ending his title hopes for that season, it also left his support with a lot of work to do to bring his fitness back up to par and rehabilitate him from injury.
This was left to Gary Linge from LTA to oversee. The pair worked hard all winter to prepare for the 2013 season, which, due to bad weather, meant having to travel to France most weekends to be able to practice on the bike.
By chance Jordan was offered to ride for a team in the indoor arena cross series that took place in winter. This was a chance to showcase what he could do on a bike. Unfortunately it wasn't the best move and he ended up breaking his leg at the first round after coming up short on one of the jumps on the circuit.
So it was back to square one to heal from that injury, and with the 2013 Redbull series fast approaching it was doubtful Jordan would even be healed let alone back to fitness on the bike.
Fortunately Jordan did heal in time but his fitness was questionable, so he entered the first round to just do his best. Jordan did just that, however it wasn't his skill, speed or fitness that let him down, but Mechanical problems meant that a fourth place overall on the weekend was be the best he could manage.
Jordan was really frustrated that he was running un-reliable machinery, but unknown to him there was things going on behind the scene to make sure for the second round he would have a new bike.
Jordan's trainer Gary had invited his friend and owner of SJR racing along to watch the first event and he was very impressed with Jordan's speed and determination. He only watched the first day, but when he heard of the bike problems on the second day he wanted to help Jordan and arranged a new bike the following week.
Going into the second round was a totally different story. With a bit more time to work on Jordan's fitness and now with a new machine things were on the up. Taking second overall at the next round Jordan was back on track to recovering from the first round but another mechanical problem at the third round showed that even with a new bike a little luck was needed.
With four rounds left Jordan stopped thinking of the championship and set out to just win as many races as he possibly could. At the next three rounds he went out and won the overalls at all of them and along the way the playing field was levelled with the two championship leaders also having a little bad luck.
Going into the final round Jordan had managed to not only take the championship lead but the youngster had a 21-point cushion.
All Jordan needed to do was stay consistent and bring home the championship which he did in fine style.
With everything that has taken place Jordan has been selected to ride for Team DRF/Powerband next year and he is being flown out in November to a special training facility in Florida to train and compete in the Mini Olympics (Mini O's) to showcase his talents out there and see how he fares against the fastest kids in the USA. 2014 will see Jordan on board a 125 competing in European championship and premier Uk championships.
Jordan would like to thank everybody who has helped make 2013 a success.
