Hard Times!

Published: 19th September 2006

Author: Words by Billy MacKenzie Photos by Sutty

A run of bad results leaves Billy more determined than ever to turn it all around

Man, things have not been going well recently. I dunno what the hell is up but I've been trying everything to get the ball rolling again. It's really hard when you are in this job and things go bad - you see it every year with different riders, I just never thought I would have the problem!
My routine started to fade into a distant view - like I was going through the motions but I wasn't feeling any improvement - and this is when my results started dropping off. So since then I've been trying to regain focus again by trying some different things, like more riding, interval sessions, more road trips to the races instead of boring flights.
I felt with the selection of tracks coming up that I would find the groove again because when I'm out practising during the week I feel great and I ride well. However, in the races I haven't been able to break away with the front guys at the start so I then get caught up in the race for sixth to 10th and when that happens I just start thinking this isn't where I should be - I should be at the front!
Slowly I start dropping to the back, the pit signals start to look blurry because I'm thinking too much about why this is happening, the track gets rougher in my mind and it all falls apart!
So there ya go, the truth behind riders' problems - sometimes it isn't the bike... I do have to say that I have found this year's 250 more difficult to get to grips with. Without doubt it is better than the '05 version but with everyone back in the mix in MX2, the team and I have been trying to find that 'extra bit' of performance.
I can ride my practice bike day-in and day-out with the same set-up but for some reason, on race weekends, we have to spend time trying to find the best configuration to be competitive and sometimes we lose our way. No-one's fault, it's just with the new frame being so much better it's easier to notice the way it handles. Sometimes it is absolutely awesome and sometimes I can get it wrong. Last year's bike was more flexible so it wasn't as easy to notice when it was handling out of character, it was always just 'fine'.
But fine was good enough for 2005 because the Yamaha ruled the roost but aluminum frames are obviously the way forward and I know now the testing and set-ups from each track this year will give everyone the best information for next year - so don't be surprised to see Cairoli claim his title back in '07! However, being a Kawasaki man again, Pourcel might keep it so I'll leave it up for you guys to decide!
So can we ignore every race this month please? I've given you a few excuses already and I hope now I get my finger out at Hawkstone!
The Nations is almost here which means 450 time! I was on it today at Tonymoto, setting things up for Matterley and getting the feel for the power. I've started preparing earlier this year because I want the Nations to be something for the Brits to remember! I felt comfortable with the power and possibly wanted more so I'll be back riding the 450 next week with some more settings!
Man this column is boring...sorry guys, I'll tell you some fun stories! At Lierop last week for the GP there was a robber on the loose! Some French guy was sneaking round the riders' camp in Holland. I first noticed I had three pairs of boots missing and a helmet! I was p****d off but not nearly as upset as some of the other riders who had all their push bikes nicked!
I was parked next to Gundersen when all of a sudden I heard him shout and run out of the camper with only a towel on! The thief had nicked his helmet but dropped it after Kenneth had caught him and made a dash for it! So me and Kenneth set off on a hunt for the rogue. Mark Eastwood was in also tow as he was helping me for the weekend.
We scaled the whole camping area looking for a guy fitting the description Kenneth had given - a tall kid with dark hair and a grey hoody. We didn't find him but unbeknown to us, Easty had seen a kid looking very suspicious. Along came 'Officer' Ashley Kane (from Fox Europe) and together 'Mark and Kane' followed 'the lead' for a good 10 minutes. In that time the kid had changed jumper and made a lap of the paddock for no real reason. We had him! So when the guy was stupid enough to come back to the rider's Living Area for more, Easty asked Kenneth if that was the guy and the chase was on!
The kid ran like the wind, only to have me and Kenneth straight after him. He panicked as he got himself cornered from about five sides and I grabbed him by the shirt! Things could have got a lot more nasty if Kenneth had 100 per cent identified him but he was 'only 80 per cent sure'. I was gutted, I had this guy by the neck and wanted to give him what for!
But with the delay the police had arrived and started making a royal mess of it all. The efficiency of the Dutch police! The suspect had no ID, matched the description and had the keys to a Vito van full of stolen bikes! Easty found the van too - the boy is a legend!
 So we had to leave it to the police who eventually gave back the stolen goods to everyone. Three pairs of boots and a helmet for me, a minibike for James Noble, full carbon racer bike for Gundersen, a mountain bike for Tom Church, the list goes on - his van was loaded! Mark Jones reckoned they should have smashed his hands to pulp, then he wouldn't steal again! I'm with you Mark!
Well I had more to tell you guys, but DBR are tight and only give me one page! Hint hint....
I rode the sand at Dunkerque before Lierop which was awesome. I am thinking about living in Belgium next year but I'll still be doing the British championship.
I want to give thanks to Yamaha and 'Bike it' for sticking behind me through this rough patch, although I will make sure I give you guys a bigger send off than this, trust me, you guys are the best! *sniff*
Looking forward to the rest of the season and next year. Three big races left and I want to put these 'fricking gremlins' to bed so I'm on a high for the winter. Looking forward to all the shows, supercrosses, Moto-1 and Enduros through the winter. Hope I see you all there!

Mac211