Austin Forker makes his pro debut this weekend
By Team TMX on 21st May 16
The anticipated pro debut of Austin Forkner happens this weekend during the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season opener at the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, California. Forkner will compete aboard the No. 214 Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki backed KX250F.
"I feel really good at this point,” said Forkner. "I'm not nervous right now, but I'm sure once I line up behind the gate alongside 40 of the world's fastest racers the nerves will set in a little. The race is going to be tough, but I think everyone will be a little tired at the end of the first few rounds and then we will all adjust as the season progresses.
"I've been working really hard riding 35 minute motos so I'm as ready as I can possibly be. At this moment, it's hard to make any goals because I don't know where I fit in. I have an idea of where I may finish after riding here in California with everyone but I don't want to set my expectations too high or low. Overall, I just want to get good starts and get through this weekend safe. As far as racing every weekend, I'm actually really looking forward to it. Obviously, it's going to be harder on my body but amateur races are week long events and one bad moto can ruin the entire event, where in the pro ranks, you can have one bad day and the next weekend make up for it.
"I've been training at Carmichael's, back home at my house in Missouri and at Robbie Reynard's for the last month and a half. I'm currently out here in California with my trainer Clint and I'll be staying here until Thunder Valley. There hasn't been much testing for me lately. The team has been letting me practice with my trainer without a set schedule and to ride what I feel is right. We've been backing it down these last few weeks though, so I'm not burnt out by the first round.”
