Tony Cairoli's weekly column
By TMX Archives on 11th Aug 09
2009 Motocross Grand Prix of Czech Republic, Loket
Ciao Everybody :)
We just arrived home in Belgium, from Loket, Czech Republic.
Weoriginally left our house, with our camper, in Belgium around 5pm onThursday to drive to Loket. On Friday we arrived at the track around12. It was beautiful weather, and after a while we took the scooter fora bit of sightseeing in town of Loket. After we arrived back from oursightseeing trip, we went to Max's (Nagl) Birthday Party. It was hisbirthday, so I bought him a birthday cake with a big number '5' on it!: )
After dinner on Friday night, we went to a Red Bull event ata Discotek in a town near Loket called Karlovy Vary. They arranged aparty and all the Red Bull athletes were there to have some time &drinks together. It was nice, but before the 'real' party started, as aprofessional athlete should, we did go back to the track and our camperand got our night's rest.
On Saturday I made the ninth best timein the timed practice, ... but I chose to start from outside of themiddle on the gate. I made a good start, but then I made a mistake inthe first corner. I did go too fast and went over the wall, so Istarted in my Qualification heat in the back of the group. I wasgetting more and more confidence with the track, and I could arrive atthe checker flag at the end of the Qualification heat on Saturday inninth position.
On Sunday I tried to focus on my starts, and Iwas able to have two good starts today! The first heat I had a goodstart, but there was a lot of fighting in the first corner, and I gotpushed out of the track. I fought back hard, up to 12th place, but thenI lost a bit of time with trying to pass, but in the end I could finishin nith position. I was not really happy with that, but I did the bestI could. I was taking many risks with passing riders, and then I thinkit was better to be more careful and choose safety for my championship.So, I tried to stay on the bike and take as many points as possible.
Inthe second heat I started better, and when we all come by the pit laneI could see I was in third position. I fought the whole heat with David(Philippaerts) for second place, and a few laps before the end I passedhim. (Clement) Desalle already had a gap of more than 10 seconds on me,so I had to be happy with my second position, and fourth overall forthe day.
This weekend I didn't feel 100% physically. I had ahigh fever the whole weekend. I will visit the doctor, and I'm sureI'll feel better really soon. I'm already happy because my father feelsa bit better today - he was really sick whole weekend. My father andmother traveled with us to the GP, but my father felt so sick that hedidn't come out of the camper the entire weekend.
Overall, I'mhappy about my fourth place in this GP. It was a shame that it was sohard to pass, 'cause it seem I always need to take risks because of mybad starts! But I will keep working on my starts! : )
Now wehave two weekends with no GP, so I'll see you all back in Holland forthe GP in Lierop. Just two GP's left before the end of our season, ...and then the big spectacle Motocross of Nations in Italy is waiting forus! : )
Thanks to all my fans! Ciao Italia!
Tony 222