Ups and downs!
By TMX Archives on 12th Apr 05
This month has been flat-out! Testing, racing and trying to move house on top of everything...although the moving bit had to take a back seat as testing and racing are my priorities.I've been reasonably happy with the way my first few races This month has been flat-out! Testing, racing and trying to move house on top of everything...although the moving bit had to take a back seat as testing and racing are my priorities.I've been reasonably happy with the way my first few races have gone. The opening round of the Dutch championship was held at a place called Gemet - a nice track but not the deep sand I was expecting.We had a hard frost the night before which left the track totally frozen in places. But the day went well, I rode smart, didn't take any risks and came away with a first and a second in my two races - my first Dutch championship overall victory felt good!Afterwards I stayed in Holland to do some testing and riding with the team before flying back for the first round of the British championship at Canada Heights. I was really looking forward to this race because I wasn't expecting to be there - it was kind of a last-minute thing. I was feeling really relaxed and just wanted to enjoy the day and the racing - and, of course, take the win!It was good to catch up with all my friends and I was really happy with the support I got from the fans. At the moment I'm not planning to race another Brit round but I'd like to think I could maybe squeeze in one more.After Canada Heights I had a weekend off which gave me a bit of time to sort out the new house. I also got some more laps under my belt at Winterbourne Gunner. The guys there are really good to me and I tested out their new supercross track but Justin wouldn't let me go through his freshly-built whoops - I'm going to blitz then next time Justin so make sure you move that machine!A quick visit to Tom at 12 Inch and it was then time for the second Dutch round and instead of a hard frost we had heavy rain. I ended the day with a 1-4 card - I was happy with the way I was riding but disappointed with my starts. But on a whole the day was good and I came away still leading the championship with a 22-point gap down to second and no injuries which was important with the first GP at Zolder coming up.Speaking of Zolder - what a frustrating weekend for me. I found it hard to get into a rhythm. My goal for the weekend was to come away with a top three finish but in race one my start was not so good and for the first 15 minutes I rode a bit too cautious. Still, the last 15 minutes were good and I got going and stayed strong to the end to finish fourth.I got another crappy start in race two but had moved into the top 10 by the second lap. Then I crashed in the sandy section of the track and twisted my ankle again - I say 'again' as I'd already twisted it in practice. All I could do was ride round and try and salvage some points. So the day didn't go to plan at all but I have to keep my head up - there's a long way to go and anything can happen.Some days in motocross just don't go your way and on those kind of days you have to take as many positives as you can out of the races.The next few weekends are very busy with another Dutch championship round and three more GPs. Spain's next up on the world championship front - it's a track I really like and I'm looking forward to putting right all the things that went wrong in Zolder.I'd just like to end this month's column with a 'get well soon' message to a mate of mine who broke his leg on Sunday. Hope you feel better soon Neil - and leave the nurses alone!That's all for another month...good luck with your racing!See ya...