In this edition of the series we got to see nearly perfect conditions for probably the 5th time or so this year which was a welcome site for all the riders. Although I enjoy and do well in the mud, I like the level of competition you can get out of a race with good conditions. At this round of the series that was exactly what I got as nearly all the riders on the front row were racing with full aggression and good speed. Before I went to the start for staging, I saw Wattsy in a field where we were both warming up a bit and we had a bit of a chat. Before we headed to staging I said, "Let's go make some good stories to tell on this one eh bud!" Sure enough that's exactly what we did.
I had the 11th pick on the line which is ok, although I still managed to get right where I wanted to be. Unfortunately it didn't get me the start I wanted. Coming off the line there was so much traction that my bike didn't come on so strong straight away and I got a bad jump resulting in a start near the back. Right away I rode very aggressive and moved all the way up to 12th by the end of lap one. Shawn had the pit board out saying everyone was within 45-seconds so I knew it would be a tough race. I don't know why, but I got all excited and put my game face on and went to work the best I could. Around the third lap I had David Knight come up behind me and it gave me good motivation to pick it up even more. That lap ended up being one of my best, as I carded third fastest on that lap with a 27.55 behind knight with a 27.49 and Andrews with a 27.53. Shortly into lap four I let Knighter by hoping that he would step the pace up and I could tag onto it. He did indeed step it up, although I was unable to keep that pace.
On lap four I put in nearly the same lap times as the whole top-five in the low 28s, although I lost 40-seconds to Knight. On lap five I caught up to Jenks and we stepped it up again, knowing we were closing in on the checkers. Robbie and I got onto the tail of Wattsy at the start of the last lap, with me ahead of Jenks. About 15-seconds into the last lap I made a move to pass Wattsy crossing a ditch. It was a crazy move and it didn't work...not even a little bit. Wattsy had a bit of a hesitation on choosing a line and I just took the line I could get to without hitting the brakes. As it turned out I took a really bad line and nearly went over the handlebars going uphill. Not only did I not pass Shane, but Jenks also passed me so I was now third in the trio. It was definitely a dash to the finish as we were all putting in an incredible pace.
We came to a technical section and I got a better line and a nearly perfect drive and was able to jump past Wattsy to take on Jenks. Shortly after that, I was looking ahead of Jenks to see where we were going to be and I saw a spectator showing a line to him. It was quite a good line, but I saw that coming and I was on a tear. I was pinned when he veered off to take the line and when we came back together I had gained the edge. The next section was really high speed and I knew I could gap him on that, which I needed to do because Robbie is unreal in the tight stuff and I knew he could close in on me there. Shortly thereafter, Wattsy had caught back up again and was pressuring hard. We came to a hill and the trail was packed with stuck lappers and I thought this was the end of the line with nowhere to go. Then I spotted an opening; it was a tough line and risky but it was my only choice. I had to side angle the hill and then chicane through some tight trees at the midway point, all while keeping enough momentum to send it to the top. I managed to do this quite well actually, although so did Shane. Jenks didn't have such good luck though as that was the end of the three way fight for him.
Right away after that, Shane and I caught up to Fred Andrews. There was a spot coming up with long ruts where I had an awesome line. I was able to get onto the high ground between the two ruts and that's where I passed Andrews. After that, Shawn gave me the pit board saying that Salminen was only 25-seconds ahead. Shane saw that too and we both started to really hang it out. At the finish we never caught Juha but Shane pushed me all the way to the line, with me taking 6th and Shane taking 7th. Sure enough, we had some good stories to tell!
This result ties me with Wattsy for 9th position going into the last round. I am actually within reach of as high as a 6th place year end result if I do well enough at the final round in Indiana which is great.
The battle of epic proportions between Knight and Salminen never really happened; it was definitely tense though between the two as the few times I was near the KTM truck they were on opposite sides of the truck and taking the race quite serious. Juha had his bike geared quite badly and could only really race in the woods, and Knights bike didn't run right until a few laps in (or something like that).
Glenn Kearney was going so fast the flagger missed him with the 2-lap board, and missed him with the White flag. In other words Glenn got a two lap board when he should've gotten the white flag. Glenn didn't fight back in the last mile when Barry made an attack, thinking he had another lap to go and that he would let Barry take the pressure for a while. That has got to be the worst way to lose a race and I'm sure he will never forgive himself for that.
With next year right around the corner, rumors are swirling as to who's going where and who's staying put. This is what the teams look like for next year at the moment.
YAMAHA
Hawk - Done Deal
Mullins - Done Deal
Duvall - I'm sure they're not letting him go but this has not been confirmed.
Raines - They're going to take care of him when he's ready to race again.
KAWASAKI
Jimmy Jarratt - Unconfirmed
Watkins - Unconfirmed
Edmesten - Something about a top-ten seals the deal.
SUZUKI
Kearney - Confirmed
Smith - Maybe a full year in lites or maybe a development role on the 4T.
KTM
Knight - Confirmed
Jenks - Unconfirmed, but he's too reliable to let go so I'm sure this is where he will be.
I also heard they are keen for a third rider.
Watts - Unconfirmed but likely on a KTM, separate from the factory team.
Justin Williamson Racing - Private team bikes to be determined. Last year no one knew what he was riding until February so don't expect news right away.
Cole Calkins - Has something on the go but he's tight lipped about it.
Paul Whibly - likely staying with Honda/Summers, but talk had others keen on him as well.
And as many of you already know, I will be moving to Italy and contesting the WEC with the factory Husqvarna team.
Thanks again to all my sponsors and fans!
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