Sarah Walker Reports on the Supercross from Denmark
11 May 2009
Well the weather hasn't been great but it was nice to us all and the rain held off this afternoon for scheduled practice. The Men's A Group was first with Marc, Matt and Kurt. By the looks of how they were flowing through the track, it was going to be good.
As girls practice rolled around, we were all eager to get out on the track. We all started on the third straight which was a good lead in to what was coming. I got through it fast and smooth a few times before moving to the second straight.
The second straight was where the girls track had definitely made a huge step up from previous Supercross races. I think by the end of the practice, there were only half a dozen girls (including me) that got right through without having to break and pump.
After that, it was up to the top of the hill for some first straight action. One of the Dutch riders went for the first jump and made it over easy as. I went next and spent almost the rest of the time working on the first straight.
After I was getting more comfortable with the gate and the first jump, it was time to look at getting over the second (huge triple with a step down). Lauren Reynolds, myself and a couple of others were looking at it but it was Lauren that took the honors of hitting it first. She tagged the first jump and went for it anyway but she had lost a little too much speed, so she she didn't quite get over and went over the bars. No one really cared though, everyone was off their seats clapping her for being the first to give it a go. She hurt her shoulder and thumb in the crash and is getting it checked out but is determined to ride tomorrow.
I think we were all spooked a little watching Lauren go down but Marc and a couple others were pushing me to jump it. After a couple of non attempts and a little more encouragement, I rolled up to the gate and knew that I was going to hit it up. I came out of the gate and got the first jump good so I pedaled like crazy and boosted the triple. It seemed like I was in the air for ages but when I came down, I only just cased a little with my back wheel - I was over! It felt so good to do such a big jump and for the rest of practice, I remained the only girl to do it.
Time Trials
Time trials went pretty well. Had practice in the morning for an hour in the wind, losing a few girls during that time. Guys practice was first followed by the girls. When it came to time trials, I was the last chick to go. I got a good lap in besides one bad jump down the second straight, coming across the line 4th overall and only 0.5 seconds behind Shanaze.
Race Day
Well it was a good day besides the final. Great actually. Was feeling good on the track during practice, getting everything smooth, and having fun. Because the girls only had semi's and final, we had to wait a few rounds for the guys to have their eighths.
I had 2nd pick after Shanaze Reade (current World #1). She went three and I went two. Got an awesome gate and snapped Shanaze and kept that lead from the first pedal. Moved towards her to make sure she wasn't getting past me and it stuffed her up. From there, I went for it, got everything smooth and finished the race a few bikes in front of one of the French girl riders then Shanaze.
In the second race, we came out of the same lanes. Shanaze got a better snap than me this time and came across. I tagged the first jump a bit but tucked in behind her and railed the first corner to come down the second straight. I was catching down the second straight and came up next to her but was on the outside so had to try again down the third. She backed off a little and I went past, making sure she wasn't going to make any moves in the last corner while I was at it. Another win.
Third race before the final, Shanaze came out of the gate in front but I attacked the second jump more and went down the inside of her heading into the corner. From there, I got another smooth lap making it 3 from 3 heading into the final.
Finals Time
Got a pretty good snap but it wasn't enough to get in front of Laetitia and Shanaze who headed towards each other from lanes 1 and 6. I got caught up in the middle and everyone behind us got bunched up as well. As we were going over the second jump, I felt someone hit my back wheel which threw me off a little, giving me a little scare before regaining composure and coming into the first corner in 4th behind Shanaze, Laetitia and Eva. Down the 2nd straight, I caught Eva but with how things worked out in the first corner, I was on the outside again. Tried to rail the corner to get some speed for the 3rd straight but it wasn't going to be enough.
Extremely happy on how my riding is going. This trip has given me a lot of confidence and I look forward to getting home and getting some really good training in before Worlds.
Thank you,
Sarah
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