This weekend I finally got to ride at Flipps. I have been wanting to ride here since we first arrived as I was told it was a great place to go if we were down that way. Flipps hosted MOMCCs Mini & Junior Champs and it was the first time since riding in Aussie that double classing was encouraged. I rode in the Under 9 65cc and the Under 11 65-85cc classes and it was a huge day. The U9s rode part of the big track and part of the mini track, the U11s rode the full big track. The dirt in Manawatu is so different to anywhere else… it’s black and sandy and sticky and slippery when it’s wet. I rode well in U9s going 2-2-2 but was a bit untidy in the U11s coming off a few times, and losing my focus (and my goggles). I learned a lot about riding in these conditions, and that keeping yourself in the right head space is just as important as your riding skills. Once I stopped and thought about why I was here and what I wanted to do I felt better and rode better. Sometimes things feel really hard and I get angry and upset and myself because I want good results but weekends like this will help me later. This weekend was to ride Flipps, venue of the 2019 Junior Nationals, where I want to come and have a go at riding with top junior riders. It was almost a 6 hour drive to get here so I won’t be getting much practice here so made the most of it. I came away with a 2nd trophy for U9s and finished somewhere down by 16th overall in the U11 up to 85cc class but 4th overall out of the 65s. I have come away with so much stuff to work on but can’t wait to be back in this mud again.
Soren Staudinger 