Greg Minnaar/Mongoose DH Series #4 - Rico Racing Track 22 May 2011

After helping put the Rico Racing track together some weekends before, I was really keen to race this fun track. The weather was good, the bike was perfect, and now it was up to me to get the result. The shuttle to the top of the track was very short, so I had put in enough runs to know the track well.

I did a few practice runs on race day and was feeling confident. I sat under the trees at the bottom, refuelled my body and had a couple of good laughs, as we always do, and then headed up to the top of the track.

My first race run went well, and I had no serious problems, except for one error coming out of a corner which might have cost me a second or two. As I neared the bottom half of the track, the amount of spectators increased and there was a really cool vibe at the end. I had a good, solid time which put me into 3rd Junior after the first runs.

After a short break it was time for the second race run. I really thought I could improve my time on the track, and I seemed to be going much faster on the top section. I obviously was pushing too hard, because after the top road gap there is a step down into a berm, and I came in too hot to make the berm, and overshot it. I was really lucky to stay on the bike and I managed to roll back onto the track, and try to get back onto the gas. After a mistake like that I knew my time would be slower, but to add to that, my feet blew off the pedals on the last corner. I then rode the last rock garden with my feet unclipped and no momentum at all. My first time was faster, and so it stood.

My teammate Kyle Davids then narrowly beat my time and I moved down a spot. I finished 4th Junior and 6th Overall. I was very pleased with my result. 4 out of the top 6 riders overall were juniors, so it shows just how competitive the age group is!

I can't thank Andre from Rush Sports enough for all the help with the mechanical that I had over the weekend. My Morewood felt so good on the track, and I loved every second riding it. Big thanks to the race organisers for putting on a really great event.