We had ridden the track the previous weekend so I knew it well, and didn't have to do too much practice. I still needed to clear both N3 tables and the huge hip at the end, Money Maker. I got the tables dialled in the first couple of runs during Thursdays practice. I decided to attempt money maker on my last run of the day, and it went smoothly so I was feeling confident on the track.
On Friday I did two practice runs and everything went according to plan. Qualifying runs started in the afternoon and so I sat in the car, relaxed, and listened to some good music. I headed up to the top with my mechanic (aka my brother Josh) who had my spare wheels with muds, in case the weather turned. Thankfully I didn't need them. Andre van Aarde also helped me so much at the top, and I am so grateful for all his help.My qualies run was going really well right until I slipped a pedal and unclipped in between the first and second N3 tables, so I rode over the second table and got back on the gas for the pedal section. I finished my run strongly and felt good until the finish line.
I was so disappointed to hear that I wasn't fast enough to qualify for the final - top 80 men went through. I was even more bummed when I heard that I had missed qualifying by 2 seconds! I did a 4min:27 and the guy who was in 80th did a 4min:25. In the end I was 91st. The riders this year definitely stepped it up a lot from last year.
A huge thanks goes out to everybody who helped me out - Andre from Rush Sports, Adrenaline Cycles, Pat Morewood for my suspension set up, Mark Hopkins from cSixx for letting us pit with them, Conrad Davies for his help and to everyone from Team Jeep South Africa. I had so much fun and it was such a great experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment