Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
For the pro riders that are about to line up at the gate for the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals, this coming weekend is one of the toughest of the year. I know what you’re thinking, isn’t Gopher Dunes the toughest race of the year? Why would this weekend when there is no national be so tough?
Well for all the riders, especially the top guys who more than likely are going to battle it all summer for the two championships. This is the weekend when all you have to do is just sit around and twiddle your thumbs in anticipation for what’s coming on May 31st. It’s a weekend where you want to ride and you feel like you should be riding but at the same time you feel more inclined to take it easy and not do something stupid that might jeopardized the months of training that you’ve had to endure. Of course, as everyone knows when you’re trying to ride safe and easy this is when something usually goes wrong. I’m sure every rider has gone out to practice with the understanding that they’re going to “take it easy”, ten minutes later you’ve washed the front end out, tweaked your knee, bent your bars and made your rad look like a pretzel. It’s happened to all of us at one time or another.
Top riders like Colton Facciotti know exactly how to prepare so they’re 100% ready to go at round one.
So how do the top riders combat this final weekend of agony before the series begins next weekend? This is what makes the top riders the top riders, and this is where experience comes into play. For riders like Colton Facciotti, Tyler Medaglia and Bobby Kiniry, this isn’t their first rodeo, so they have a plan in place and they’ll know exactly how to stay safe, but busy. However, even these guys will be pacing around the house and driving their wives crazy with anticipation. This is just the nature of sport. Athletes spend months engrossed in preparation for their impending competitions and at some point there is always that agonizing weekend before it all begins.
However, once this weekend is over the real mental game begins and the riders will begin to funnel their focus right up to the moment the 30 second board goes up for moto one in Nanaimo. A few final training sessions next week, packing their bags, the drive to the airport and of course the long drive or flight to BC, All of these things will be done with nothing but thoughts of the opening round. When Head Referee Paul Kingsley pans the starting line and gives the okay to the Rockstar girl to raise the 30 second board for moto one, if a rider is completely focused and prepared their mind will instantly clear and certain calm will come over them. After all, there is nothing left for them to do as in 35 seconds they’re going racing. When the 30 second board finally does go up, the riders will take a deep breath, balance themselves and then with the focus of a sniper, fixate their eyes on the gate. After what seems like an eternity, the gate drops and all hell breaks loose. The season has officially begun!!
For media, series organizers and team personnel, this weekend still involves a lot of last minute jobs to ensure we’re ready for next weekend. For riders, the work is done and now they have to wait. This summer is going to see some of the best racing this country has ever seen, and I know that I speak for everyone when I say that I can’t wait for it all to get started. Just ten more days and the gate will drop!
Having retired 5-time MX1 champion like JSR on staff as KTM does, definitely helps as he can assist in keeping team riders relaxed heading into the first round.
