We always knew coming back for Taupo’s MX Fest was going to be a big challenge and especially going into a class of 35+ riders, heaps of who are strong competitors with less than three weeks of ride time on a new bike. I said this was going to be my first ride back when I was on the gas at the hospital in July and I made that goal. My starts were really good and it was much easier getting to, and around holeshot corner, on bigger wheels. I was a bit unsure of myself in the sand so I wasn’t pushing as hard as I could have and I was dragging the brake around the sweeping corners worrying about being hit in Race 1. 5 laps in though I was feeling good and was clearing the step up and throwing the bike around a lot more. I had a bike issue in Race 2 and DNFed but after Dad fixing things up I was back on for Race 3. I finished 16-DNF-17 which I was so disappointed in as I was expecting heaps more from myself but after a good talk with my crew I am ok. Not happy with the result but ok with it. Even with not meeting my goal of a Top 10 finish I had a good weekend away. I took part of the Bell Dirt Sprints on Friday night which was great fun… drop the clutch and fly down a dirt drag strip, hairpin turn and then fly back. I got knocked out early but really want to dirt drags again. Then on Saturday night after racing we watched the SpeedCross which is a supercross on a speedway track and on Sunday we went back to the track to watch the seniors day. There were a couple of riders in MX2 I paid a lot of attention to as they didn’t use their brakes to corner in the sand, just gears and smooth power and corner speed in soft dirt is where I really need to improve. On clay I am fine as I know the ruts won’t crumble underneath me. Now to keep on working on my fitness and my technique.
Soren Staudinger 