We drove into the rain at Tirau this morning and it felt like it was going to be a repeat of the Taupo mudwash last weekend. Luckily it wasn’t very heavy and the track looked like it was holding up really well once we had set up and done a look lap. It was still drizzly through practice but the sun and blue sky came out of nowhere for race 1 and it felt so good to be out in it. I rode technically well through the deep sand patches and the big sweeping corners but wasn’t holding enough speed to make the most of Toke’s big jumps. Holeshot in race one and 3 seconds today which is okay because I know I have more in me. Because of the water pooling through the rollers out the back of the track the 65s were riding a cut off which crossed a deep rutted area to get to our detour, I took my eyes of where I wanted to go and ended up on my butt in the rut which lost me my lead in race 2. It was the first round of the South Waikato season so I am off to a good start. I know that once I have my technique on point the speed will come back. Slowing down and working on my smooth throttle control, strong breaking and body position are going to make me a stronger, safer, faster rider in the long run and it doesn’t matter what size bike I will get on I know the foundations I am working on today will benefit me tomorrow.
Soren Staudinger 