This year the Australian Championship was held at the trials venue, Pacific Park. The event had a great lead up with an open trial being held the week prior and lots of training and socializing in the week by the masses of people camped in the parks beautiful riverside camping areas. The people in the NSW clubs have done a brilliant job this year and this event was no different.
My new Raga replica 300 Gas Gas arriving just a couple of weeks ahead of the event was definitely the highlight for me and I was feeling very confident as my riding was at a good level. I was more comfortable with my equipment than ever and had not been defeated at this venue all year.
Riders briefing held the bombshell that this year the Open Solo class was to complete 3 laps of 15 sections being an extra 15 sections to what the elite class had, to my knowledge, ever completed at an Aussie Titles. This for me was very disappointing to hear as not even the World Championship runs this many laps of 15 sections and due to the confusion over whether the sections were able to be walked the day before, most riders including myself, had very little time to walk the difficult sections on the day.
The day for me started nervously and I completed lap one with a large score. On the second lap I realised that I had taken far too long on the opening lap so I had to ride very fast but still managed to improve my score. The third lap I rode 7 sections before I ran out of time, finishing the day 2 points behind Colin Zarczynski and 8 points ahead of my New Zealand friend, Jake Whitaker. The sections were definitely of a very high level, maybe a little too high, but I think this needs to be done if we want to continue improving and keep up with the other side of the world.
Day 2 I woke a little sore and very naive on the pain I was feeling in my ankle. It had begun hurting a little in section 15 on the second lap during Saturday but I had not thought much of it. Once I started riding I was feeling much more confident and comfortable than the day before. I completed 6 sections with some good and some not-so-good rides. Returning back to section one, which I had decided not to ride first, I attempted a large splat up a wall that I was actually quite comfortable with, but something went wrong and as I came tumbling off the side I put my foot down but continued to fall to the ground. As soon as the pain encompassed me I realised I was in big trouble.
There was no choice but to return to my GRO sponsored pit area where Robert Benge from GRO and Darryl Boorer, the new Beta NSW agent, straight away started to work first aid on me and try to take the excruciating pain away from my ankle. I must thank them both for their efforts. I then tried to head back to the sections but soon realised that just getting to them was a challenge at this point. Again I returned to the GRO tent and took some advise from the experienced Robert Benge on how to deal with it but unfortunately was unable to continue.
I apologise to all my supporters and sponsors for my inability to fulfil my goals for the weekend but please don’t be concerned as I will be back fighting fit to finish the NSW season and for next year’s season!
Thankyou to all of my sponsors for supporting me in this event. These are Gas Gas Motos Australia, Global Racing Oil, who are making a massive effort for me this year, Dunlop tyres, the Howell family and Process Electrics.
Reports on the Spanish WTC, French WTC and the Trial des Nations on their way....With pictures!
I also appologise for not having my usual format of report.
Kyle.