This year the three days of the NZ champs were held way down South in Alexandra, one of my favourite places to ride. We left early Tuesday and arrived down in Alex Wednesday afternoon so I had a good few days of practise and getting used to the bike that I was riding for the weekend, a 250 Honda Montesa 4 stroke.
By the time Saturday came around I was feeling really good about things and started the event off well losing two points for the whole day. The sections were a little on the tame side which in a way actually made it harder on the riders as every single point was going to make a difference to the result as the points were very low. Sunday was really good, the sections were set at a good level with some bigger steps than the day before. I was riding well and after the four laps of the ten sections still had no points on my card which was an awesome achievement for me.
Going into the last day I was confident and not only had a goal to win but to have another four cards with no points on them, after a few close calls fighting against the wind and some awesome riding I achieved my goal, two clean days and the NZ champion for the second time in a row.
Once again it was a team effort so a big thanks to the people below.
Mum and DAD, Karl and Debbie Clark, Brendon and Cathy Wadsworth and the Oliver Family.
cheers guys and thanks again for a wicked year.
Hi guys,
Well last Monday me Dad and Nick Ball (my minder) all flew out to Melbourne to get a few days on the bike before the trial on Saturday and Sunday. During training i felt really strong and comfortable on the bike and was really feeling confident with Nick and was looking forward to the event.
Saturday morning i started off a little nervy and had a couple of unlucky fives on the first half of the lap as i was feeling the pressure. After a good pep talk with Dad and Nick i soon settled in and started to get a rhythm going on but at the end of the day was only good enough for 4th. On Sunday i felt a lot more relaxed in the sections which reflected in my riding as i posted the lowest scores all day. The sections were really big all weekend so i was well at home on the big grippy rocks so i was enjoying my ride as well. After winning on Sunday this put me in 2nd overall for the championship, so not quite what i went over for but still to come back from 4th was a big effort.
I would like to give a big thanks to Tarp at Montesa Australia for all his help, the bike was awesome couldn’t have been better. Mum and Dad. Dad for all the encouragement and advice over the week and of course Nick for doing a wicked job minding keeping me focoused and relaxed when it wasn’t going too well. It was a team effort and we were really close to pulling it off so thanks guys. I hope i can pay back the favour when we go over and win it next year.
Cheers
Jake
Hi Everyone
Just a quick note to let you all know that Jake is currently over in Australia competing in the Australian Title and is looking for a top finish. He has been training hard over the last few weeks and is really looking forward to competing in the New Zealand Championship in Alexandra at Labour Weekend. I’m sure that he will fill you all in on how he went in Australia when he gets back.
Thanks
