Rollercoaster
Published: 17th July 2007
Author: Words by Billy MacKenzie Photo by Sutty
Billy starts the month on a high, then the bottom falls out of his world in Bulgaria before he rallies again in Sweden.
Things were still firing after Japan. We came home for the British at Langrish - a proper old-school track and not normally what I enjoy but I got stuck in and came away with the overall. It was my first overall in MX1 so that was something to smile about.
Everyone was feeling a bit second-hand from the jetlag and it didn't help that it was a blistering hot day - not that I'm complaining about the weather as I'd rather it be hot than wet! I had luck on my side that day too. The first race I had some arm-pump early on after getting a crap start, I moved through pretty quickly but then had to try to breathe. Gordy came steaming through and I didn't have an answer for him at the time - I was struggling a little and couldn't up the pace but, like I said, luck was with me and Gordy broke a chain.
The next race I had a good start and moved through to the lead by the first corner and from then on I just charged. I had Brad behind me the whole way and I was only pulling tiny gaps each lap - the max I got it to was about six seconds. I kept thinking 'okay, I have to have broke him now' but I kept looking over and he was there every lap! He just doesn't understand the words 'give up' - that's what I like about Brad.
Off to Bulgaria next and it was the point of a slight turnaround in my season again! I was fastest in most of the free practices and stuff, always battling for top three, feeling very confident and comfortable on the bike but I was s***ting through the eye of a needle all day! I ate some bad meat at the restaurant at the track and by the time qualifying came around I was feeling really bad! So qualifying went horrible - I was in 12th or something and I was so pissed off.
I tried to sort it out and stuff for next day although it still wasn't good. The first race I got off to a good start but off the first jump I launched it too far and landed really squint, twisting the forks inside the clamps, so I was trying to ride with twisted bars for the first lap. I thought 'just get used to it, you got a long way yet' but I came down the big hill into the finish line jump too hard, the back side of the front mudguard caught my front wheel as the suspension compressed and jammed my wheel in the air. So I had no control in the air and when I landed I was off-balance and lost the front end in the corner. I was running top six at the time so there were a few guys behind me and a couple of them ran straight over me.
I had some road rash and I hurt my ribs - I didn't think much of it to be honest, nothing a little painkiller wouldn't fix I thought. But after pulling out the first race I came to the line for the second a bit bashed up. I got a great start but it didn't last long, I just kept dropping back and couldn't breathe or turn the bike - total disaster weekend!
So from then on it has been a bit of a struggle - especially at the British at Desertmartin. It wasn't the pain that was making me ride bad, it just felt like I had arm-pump in the left-hand side of my back so after 15 minutes of fast laps round Ireland I couldn't stand up anymore. Man - excuses, excuses, huh? I'm just glad it was only a couple weeks this year - last year after breaking my hand I never got back into the swing of things.
In Sweden I was glad to put the gremlins behind me and although it was still awkward to ride I was fully prepped with ice packs and freeze spray this time. First race was a bit gay, I didn't have the bike set-up right so struggled through for seventh place. The good thing though was I kept pushing - even with some arm-pump - and I was happy I finished the race strong. The second race I changed the bike a little and felt good again and charged through from 10th to fourth and was really enjoying the track for once.
That was the last race so it's on to Whitby now and I'm ready to take some wins from Kenneth - he's won too many races this year and after Ireland I really ain't in a position to try to protect a championship lead so it's gonna be all out this weekend, kinda like Tortelli's best moments! Go find it on Youtube - he was so awesome!
More good news is I am in the des Nations team again. Right now it has been decided that me, Tommy and James are in the team but that was Rob's decision before resigning so now it's up to...Mark Eastwood! *applause!* Easty is awesome and I go riding and practising whenever I can with Mark. He is full of knowledge and totally on my wavelength - he will be an awesome team manager. I can't wait for the trip to the USA - I hope the ACU book us some business class seats too! Hint, hint.
A big thanks to The Simpson family and Wulfsport for getting my bike to Ireland and Sweden, even though it was a bit of a scary ride for my poor old steed with Homer crashing the truck and stuff. But they got her there and I'm very grateful.
Also, there is a new track in Scotland which is awesome. I've been racing on it since i was six but now Johnny has got into it with Big Dave and turned it into another potential GP track. So anyone north of the border or just south, I would recommend getting your ass to Duns for a good weekend's practice.