Not a fantastic day for team America, when all is said and done we brought what we brung but sometimes that just isn't enough. Fun as the track may be to ride, it resulted in a lot of casualties across the board come race time. Supercross is no joke anymore, there aren't gentlemens agreements that allow you to keep your lines down the ramp or in corners, once the gate drops its time for blood. Every time I cross the Atlantic to race I walk away with the same lesson learned: when racing Euro, blast or prepare to get blasted, I think we Americans could learn a few things from their aggression for sure.
The first corner proved to be the key for the women as I had anticipated but also for the men. By going wide to gain speed you were surely going to get sniped by someone behind you and if you tried to protect your line, you had no speed to jump the second straight, so it was a catch 22 unless you had a big lead into the corner. Unfortunately for me I never even made it to the first corner in Semi 1, got stuck in a French sandwich down the ramp and my front wheel was wiped out from under me off the first jump as they closed the gap. Got lucky in the crash though, managed to roll away with just a few minor bumps and scrapes, but the 8 points did me some damage and it was nearly impossible for me to come back from that both physically and mentally. I kept telling myself that I was ready, that I never spent 5 weeks in a wheel chair but when it came down to it I really just dont have my legs back yet. My 3 weeks of training gained a lot of ground for sure, and I think that gave me my track speed to carry me through the TT, but I just didnt have that explosive 1,2,3 all day and kept getting played out having to go into the first corner mid pack. BUT, I had to get back into it somewhere and SX experience never hurt anyone. I can look forward to some solid months of training before the next one in South Africa come September.
To no ones surprise Shanaze won the final followed by the French contingent and Sarah Walker in there somewhere. I envy the depth of talent the French have, they keep pushing each other to new levels and it shows with 4 of them once again making the final.
The American men had some tough luck themselves, and luck it is really in BMX sometimes. Foxy was killing it until quarters when he got played out in the first turn. Denzel was on a mission winning everything until Orange crush blasted him in the first corner and he landed on his head ringing his dome pretty good. Barry Nobles was sitting top seed in his heat until he unclipped in the rhythm sending him OTB with some serious knee damage. JB.com got caught up with a bunch of people on the second straight and went down hard as well, and the list goes on... none of the American men advanced to the semi final resulting in no funded sandwiches for anyone tonight.
Orange crush dominated the mens final and one of them won it but since they all look the same out there check mania's results for van den gork de something.
One good thing to come out of the weekend was shaking hands with the crown Prince of Denmark. I've never met any royalty but I did feel pretty cool for about 5 minutes after meeting him. A whole motorcade rolled up through the secret back entrance then this guy just cruises out in faded jeans and shades chill as ever. Not sure what I was expecting, maybe a crown? I heard a rumor he was really into BMX, must be true since he stuck around for the entire thing and helped with the awards ceremony. Pic below is King being SUPER psyched to be chattin it up with the Prince. Also a nice pic by Jerry mania of me and The Sauze, having PH here really is some sort of internal strength for me, he knows what to say and how to say it to me in the way that only a coach who can relate to athletes does, thanks coach.
Next stop for me is Seattle where I have 4 days to find a house and buy it, for sure scarier than going down a start ramp!
