This weekend we raced the Holland GP in the sand of Leirop. I have once again left another sand GP a little bit disappointed in myself and other things that have gotten in the way. We arrived to the track Friday night and I was well ready for the sand and another chance to score some points and prove to myself I can adapt no matter the circumstances. Saturday was pretty tough and the first practice I saw that it was going to be much tougher then I had anticipated. First practice I had 18th fastest time and I couldn’t understand where I was going slow and off pace but I was determined to go to school once again. In the timed practice the track changed completely and with a small bike problem I had 31st gate pick leading into the qualifying race. I was not such a happy camper but I also know that a race is a race and a lap time is a lap time. As the gate dropped in the qualifying race I had another rider crash into me half way down the line leaving me in 27th in the second turn. Slowly I settled in and made my way to 18th by half way as my bike started to have some troubles and forced me into slowing down leaving me 22nd. Just glad I was able to finish and Sunday was a new day.
Sunday morning practice I was starting to feel a little better on an already beaten track from the day before. I don’t get it… Why leave a track with 4ft high sand whoops? Haha. Not so sure that would happen in the states but is what it is. After practice I was happy to have my girlfiend Haley back with me, as well as some of her family she has been staying with in Holland. With that said it was already off to a better then Saturday. First race I did not have such a great jump and was in around 18th with a few mistakes. For the first time in the sand I had a few decent sand riders in front of me and was able to learn from them and gain a little confidence up until about 5 laps in, had an electrical issue that lead to a DNF. For second race I went out with a smile on my face and was looking forward to just going to do my best. Got out to a really good start from the far outside and came around in 10th place. Made a small mistake in the first lap leaving me in 12th place but still miles better then any other sand race. I tucked in behind some riders and finally was feeling good and enjoying myself. As I began to close the gap between the riders in front of me I was beginning to hear a noise in the motor and decided to not risk something to happen at the wrong time.
So with 2 DNF’s and some mechanical problems I ended my weekend with exactly what I did not want to happen. As we go into the final GP in Italy next weekend I am going in and planning on leaving nothing on the table. As the Euro-trip is winding down, I have still yet to do what I am very well capable of doing. Definitely many things have been out of my control and have taken away some chances that I could have had, but I have to say I don’t regret a second of it. This weekend I have not only my girlfriend Haley back with me but I also my mom and dad at the races for the first time in 4 months. So with “one last shot” I am excited and motivated to have a successful weekend in Italy and leave here on a good note. As of now I am in a sprinter van with my trainer Jacky Vimond ,his girlfriend Manola and my girlfriend Haley for 15 hours on route to Italy. So check in for my final race here in Europe this coming weekend… Cheers!
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