I’m having Lodz of fun

I got a good couple of days practicing in before the Tough Ones Little Brother and was really happy the way we had the bike set up. We arrived the day before the race and it was raining so heavy I actually thought that it might have been called off. The next day when I woke up it was probably the only place in England that had no rain, it was cold but the sun shone all day. 

 

I didn't get the best of starts but after a few laps I took the lead and never looked back. The track was really fun as it wasn't too extreme and was quite fast. 

 

After the race I took a few days off, then got all my kit sorted ready to fly to Austria to test my new bike. We had planned to do four days riding on an extreme track but after a good first day it snowed for the next three, so that put a stop to that. 

 

I then flew to Innsbruck to the Kini factory, where my clothing comes from, for the all new 2014 collection photo shoot. This was cool to meet up with sponsors and arrange what's happening for 2013. 

 

Next stop was Poland for the first round of the World SuperEnduro championship that was held in Lodz. I arrived there the day before the race and to be honest I wasn't feeling nervous at all, I had seen pictures of the track and it looked pretty fun. The good thing about these indoor races is that you don't have to be up at the crack of dawn, instead you get a lay in and it's a pretty relaxed atmosphere. 

 

After the track walk and riders' briefing it was time to get all geared up for first practice. I went out and felt really good on the track and it flowed nice. Then you have two timed practices. I went fastest in the first, then Knighter went fastest in the second. It looked like the qualifying race was going to be pretty plain sailing. The plan was just nail the start, then play it safe from then on but it didn't go like that. I nailed the start, then halfway round the first lap I stood on the brake, stalling the bike which put me to dead last but by the end I had managed to get myself back to sixth. 

 

In the final there are three races and I went 3-1-2 for second overall which I was happy with for the first race of the season. 

 

Going into the next round I can be more confident (February 9, Barcelona) and hopefully go one better but who knows as anything can happen. 

 

Now I'm off on holiday with a few mates to chill out ready for my next race which is The Tough One on January 12. 

 

I wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and have fun.