The days are sadly long gone...
By TMX Archives on 20th Apr 06
These days preparation is absolutely key with the planet's top riders in all off-road disciplines squaring up to a punishing off-season schedule of testing and training before the various world championships kick off. These days preparation is absolutely key with the planet's top riders in all off-road disciplines squaring up to a punishing off-season schedule of testing and training before the various world championships kick off. Now I'm not saying Robert or Noycey didn't test or train but back in the day when Jack Burnicle was a mere nipper everything was a little more relaxed...For a perfect illustration of the need to prepare look no further than David Knight. The beefy Manxman was the dominant rider in last year's WEC but despite winning all the major pre-season warm-up events he still travelled to Sweden a week before the opening round of the '06 world enduro championship. Knowing that the WEC's first ever winter enduro would hand the advantage firmly to his Scandinavian rivals, Knighter gave himself time to acclimatise to racing in snow and using spiked tyres in sub-zero conditions. The result was a double win for the big man...You only have to hook up to any of the zillions of internet message boards devoted to dirtbikes to see how punishing pre-season preparation can be. To make sure everything is ready, riders have to push themselves just as hard in practice as they would do in competition and this is fraught with danger. A few days before the opening GP in Zolder Josh Coppins dislocated his shoulder when he clouted a post in training. The result? A possible eight weeks off a bike and his world championship dreams on hold for another season (last year Josh dislocated his shoulder at the Hawkstone International MX as he was - you've got it - putting the finishing touches to his pre-season prep).But when you get it right and everything clicks all the hours spent testing and training suddenly become worthwhile. We take it for granted that Stefan Everts will roll up to the gate good to go but compare Sebastien Tortelli at Hawkstone with Sebastien Tortelli at Zolder and you know that he's been flat-out for a month to raise his game.And it's exactly the same in the WTC. A few years ago third in the opening world round would've been seen as nothing short of a disaster for Dougie Lampkin. This year it's testament to Dougie's work ethic over the winter months to bring what's still very much a new machine up to a standard capable of challenging for a win at the very top level.Finally this month, I'd like to urge all DBR readers to pitch in for a very worthy cause. Fund-raising is still going strong to provide a permanent memorial at Hawkstone Park for Richard Fitch who was tragically killed in a crash at the famous Shropshire venue last summer. Just 2 will buy you a wristband inscribed with 'Richard Fitch #11' with all proceeds going to the fund.Send a cheque or postal order made out to Richard Fitch Memorial Fund along with a SAE to Mikey Brueford at 90 Appletree Court, Worle, Weston-super-Mare BS22 6BA.