As many of you may know, i used to race motocross at quite a high level.
If you dont know, i started when i was 6, and was british masters open champion on 2003. I had some injuries that caused me to stop riding. (Long story short).
Now, basically motocross was all i did, from when i was 12. It took prevalence over school, everything - but only because i was pretty good.
I worked hard, oh so very hard for sponsors. I went to them by myself at age 13 with a proper portfolio of past victories, pictures, training, how often i ride etc. I did eventually get to the stage were it cost me nothing to ride, in fact i was getting paid so it became my main source of income which was pretty good for a 16/17 yr old. I had everything given to me, my own mechanic you name it.
I gave blood, sweat and tears for the stuff i was given and were i got to and was very grateful for it.
Fast forward to present day. I havnt ridden a bike for near 4 years. Ive started going to the local practice track to teach some young kids technique skills at the request of a friend who in return is doing some work on my car (he is vw specialist). So, i see old friends, a lot of new faces, new teams etc etc.
Sunday, i went to the track again and each time i go it makes me want to ride even more. Well this sunday i wanted to ride so bad, even more so after i scene i saw in park ferme (fancy word for car park). A new team that will go un-named had there big rs motorhomes truck parked up all stickered up bikes out front all same gear looked pretty tricked out. I was stood watching one of thier riders and being brutally honest, he was shockingly bad, he had no style, no speed, no technique and just looked dangerous on the track. As i was walking back to the car park, said rider rides past upto the van, throws the bike on the floor and starts giving serious verbal to his mechanic and someone who was either his dad or someone part of the team - throwing his helmet and goggles on the floor.
I honestly couldnt believe it. That is a £6k + race bike that he just launched on the floor. The poor mechanic didnt know what to say, he just picked the bike up and got on with his job while this little **** carried on into the truck giving verbal.
Now, i wouldnt have been so bothered if it was the bike that was the problem. But this was a practice session - used to make sure the bike is ready to race, and secondly this kid did NOT have any idea how to ride such a bike.
Onto whats ******* me off, if i had done that when i was practicing or racing, id have been smacked right in the head and told to grow up and be professional. How this kid has got all this stuff ill never know i can only assume there must be some money being thrown at the team from his side of things.
This annoyed me so much that i got intouch with my old sponsor and in a month ill have a brand new 2007 or maybe 2008 YZF250 and ill be back riding again.
If this kid can get all that with the way he was riding, i know for sure i can even now.
So, thanks for listening to me vent, and here is some pics for clicks.
2Tall is back.
If you dont know, i started when i was 6, and was british masters open champion on 2003. I had some injuries that caused me to stop riding. (Long story short).
Now, basically motocross was all i did, from when i was 12. It took prevalence over school, everything - but only because i was pretty good.
I worked hard, oh so very hard for sponsors. I went to them by myself at age 13 with a proper portfolio of past victories, pictures, training, how often i ride etc. I did eventually get to the stage were it cost me nothing to ride, in fact i was getting paid so it became my main source of income which was pretty good for a 16/17 yr old. I had everything given to me, my own mechanic you name it.
I gave blood, sweat and tears for the stuff i was given and were i got to and was very grateful for it.
Fast forward to present day. I havnt ridden a bike for near 4 years. Ive started going to the local practice track to teach some young kids technique skills at the request of a friend who in return is doing some work on my car (he is vw specialist). So, i see old friends, a lot of new faces, new teams etc etc.
Sunday, i went to the track again and each time i go it makes me want to ride even more. Well this sunday i wanted to ride so bad, even more so after i scene i saw in park ferme (fancy word for car park). A new team that will go un-named had there big rs motorhomes truck parked up all stickered up bikes out front all same gear looked pretty tricked out. I was stood watching one of thier riders and being brutally honest, he was shockingly bad, he had no style, no speed, no technique and just looked dangerous on the track. As i was walking back to the car park, said rider rides past upto the van, throws the bike on the floor and starts giving serious verbal to his mechanic and someone who was either his dad or someone part of the team - throwing his helmet and goggles on the floor.
I honestly couldnt believe it. That is a £6k + race bike that he just launched on the floor. The poor mechanic didnt know what to say, he just picked the bike up and got on with his job while this little **** carried on into the truck giving verbal.
Now, i wouldnt have been so bothered if it was the bike that was the problem. But this was a practice session - used to make sure the bike is ready to race, and secondly this kid did NOT have any idea how to ride such a bike.
Onto whats ******* me off, if i had done that when i was practicing or racing, id have been smacked right in the head and told to grow up and be professional. How this kid has got all this stuff ill never know i can only assume there must be some money being thrown at the team from his side of things.
This annoyed me so much that i got intouch with my old sponsor and in a month ill have a brand new 2007 or maybe 2008 YZF250 and ill be back riding again.
If this kid can get all that with the way he was riding, i know for sure i can even now.
So, thanks for listening to me vent, and here is some pics for clicks.
2Tall is back.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
